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.
Haran Sivapalan, MBBS, MA (Cantab), MSc
Haran Sivapalan is a qualified medical practitioner with an interest in science communication and behavioral genetics. He is part of the scientific team at FitnessGenes, a direct-to-consumer genomics company that creates personalized diet and workout plans for clients.