Both the spinal cord itself and the exiting nerve roots are subject to compression in the cervical spine. Compression neuropathy of the nerve roots is termed radiculopathy; pressure on the cord can produce myelopathy.
Radiculopathy can be caused by chronic overgrowth of the bone and soft tissue or acute disc herniation. Cervical radiculopathy presents as unilateral arm pain, paresthesias, or weakness in the areas innervated by the compressed nerve.
Myelopathy is usually caused by degenerative cervical spondylosis. Myelopathy presents in older patients as bilateral paresthesias, loss of dexterity, and impaired gait. Myelopathy can also be acute due to a large central disc herniation that compresses the spinal cord. Traumatic injuries to the cervical spine that result in bony or soft tissue compression of the cervical spinal cord can also cause myelopathy.
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