Nerve root compression in the cervical spine | Physiotherapy for nerve root compression in the lumbar spine

Nerve root compression in the cervical spine

Nerve root compression is more frequent in the cervical spine than in the thoracic spine but less frequent than in the lumbar spine. Here too, the protrusion of disc tissue or arthrotic changes in the vertebral joints may be possible causes. Unlike in the lumbar spine, compression of a spinal nerve is manifested here by radiation into dermatomes (skin areas specifically innervated by the nerve) and myotomes (muscles specifically innervated by the nerve) of the upper extremity.

Nerve root compression is often accompanied by local back and neck pain and causes tension in the shoulder-neck muscles. The therapy is similar to that of nerve root compression in the lumbar spine. Postural correction and stabilizing exercises are intended to relieve the compressed nerve root, while relaxing and pain-relieving techniques can relieve acute pain. In the event of failure symptoms, the affected muscles must be trained following compression in order to avoid consequential damage.

Summary

In nerve root compression, a mechanical constriction of the spinal nerve leads to motor and sensory deficits in the corresponding supply area of the nerve. These areas are called myotoma or dermatome, as they can be assigned to a specific segment. In therapy, the first step is to find and eliminate the cause of the compression, followed by physiotherapeutic treatment or exercises by the patient.

Nerve root compression usually occurs in the lumbar and cervical spine, rarely only in the BWS. The nerve root contains only nerve fibers that are responsible for a specific segment. In the course of the procedure, the spinal nerve forms a nerve plexus with other spinal nerves.

From this plexus, the peripheral nerves emerge, which carry nerve fibers from different segments. If the nerve root is constricted, only the nerve fibers of one segment are specifically affected and typical symptoms of failure occur. For example, the nerve that emerges from the 4th lumbar spine segment supplies a special skin area (dermatome) and a special proportion of muscle fibers (myotome).

Due to the compression of the L4 nerve root, pain, sensitive or motor deficits can occur in exactly these areas. This is very important for diagnostics. A nerve root compression can also occur depending on movement. For example, when the back is bent, pain can shoot into the leg.