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.
Paulo Coppola, MD, FACEP
Dr. Paulo Coppola simultaneously earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at New York University and a Bachelor of Engineering at The Cooper Union in New York in 1990. He completed his medical degree at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York; and his residency in emergency medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md. To better serve the diverse communities in New York City, Dr. Coppola is multilingual and speaks English and Italian fluently. He is board-certified in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine and board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Society of Addiction Medicine.