| If you have detected problems with
a pinched nerve in your neck, make sure you know the level involved.
For example, if you found problems in the C6 dermatome, then notice
that the level (or disc) associated with that nerve is C5-6. If it's
the C5 nerve, the level is C4-C5 and so on. This information is
located on the dermatome page for that nerve. |
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| Take this information back to your doctor. You
should have the following work-up to look for a pinched nerve:
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1. An MRI of the cervical spine (neck). This
is a fancy picture that shows more than an x-ray. This should help
determine if a herniated disc (slipped disc) or arthritis is
pinching the nerve. Realize that many times a nerve can be
irritated despite a normal MRI.
2. If the MRI doesn't show something at that
level, an EMG/Nerve Conduction Study should be performed. This
test is used to see if there's been damage to the nerve or if
another nerve has become compressed in the arm of hand. Again,
like the MRI, it's possible to have an irritated nerve despite a
normal EMG/Nerve Conduction Study.
3. If the EMG/NCS is normal,
flexion-extension x-rays should be done to look for instability.
Sometimes ligaments can be stretched causing a level to move too
much and irritating the associated nerve.Again, as with the above
tests, it's possible for this test to be normal despite an very
real irritated nerve.
4. If all three tests are negative, it's
time for a treatment based approach. Sometimes nerves can become
irritated because the joints in the neck have become too stiff.
You should find a physical therapist who is Canadian certified to
level 3 or better to mobilize this area. Chiropractic can also be
helpful.
5. Traction can also be helpful to remove
pressure from the nerve. |
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Back to dermatome checker... |
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