Treatment for neck and spinal conditions is available through Advanced Orthopaedic Associates, with locations in Wichita, Wellington, and Winfield, KS. The team includes Jacob Birlingmair, MD, a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon who completed combined orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine fellowship training at Norton Leatherman Spine Center.
How Can a Neck Nerve Cause Pain in Your Arm?
Nerves branch away from the spinal cord and exit through openings between the vertebrae. The nerves leaving your cervical spine carry signals to and from areas of the shoulders, arms, and hands.
When one of these nerve roots is compressed or inflamed, symptoms can follow the nerve’s path away from the neck. That’s why a problem near your cervical vertebrae might make your arm hurt even when nothing has happened to it directly.
Cervical radiculopathy can develop from age-related changes in the spine, including arthritis and narrowing around a nerve. A herniated disc in the neck may also irritate or compress a cervical nerve root.
What Does Cervical Radiculopathy Feel Like?
Radiating pain is one of the main signs. It often starts around the neck and travels into the shoulder or arm. The pain may feel sharp or burning, and certain neck movements can worsen it.
Other potential symptoms include:
- Tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling
- Numbness in part of the arm, hand, or fingers
- Weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand
- Changes in reflexes
The exact pattern varies according to which nerve root is involved. Some people have noticeable arm symptoms with relatively little neck pain.
Is Arm Pain Always Coming From the Neck?
No. Shoulder problems, nerve compression at the elbow or wrist, and several other conditions can produce symptoms that resemble cervical radiculopathy. That overlap is one reason a physical examination matters. Your doctor may check strength, sensation, reflexes, neck movement, and where your symptoms travel. Imaging may also help when more information is needed.
Depending on your diagnosis, treatment might include medication, physical therapy, and other nonsurgical measures. If nerve compression persists or neurological symptoms become more concerning, surgery may be considered. Advanced Orthopaedic Associates performs cervical spine procedures including discectomy, laminectomy, laminoplasty, fusion, and minimally invasive techniques.
Get to the Source of Your Arm Pain
Pain in your arm doesn’t always begin in your arm. A provider at Advanced Orthopaedic Associates can evaluate cervical spine conditions for people in Wichita, Wellington, and Winfield, KS. Schedule an appointment or call 316-631-1600 in Wichita, 620-399-1229 in Wellington, or 620-221-2300 in Winfield.