While cervical disc pathology can unquestionably produce radiculopathy, many patients presenting with arm pain, paresthesia or perceived weakness do not exhibit the clinical behavior of true nerve-root compromise. In these cases, failure to differentiate the primary pain generator may lead to unnecessary spinal injections, nerve ablation procedures or surgical consultation despite limited likelihood of benefit.
Ed Le Cara, DC, PhD, ATC, CSCS
Dr. Ed Le Cara recently sold his practice of 14 years in Northern California and relocated to Dallas, Texas. He is the director of athletic training at The Kinetik Chain and the director of trans global education at RockTape, Inc. You can contact him by email at ed@kinetikchain.com or Twitter / Instagram (@drlecara) with questions and comments regarding this article."