Cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy

Understanding cervical myelopathy

It is common as you get older to have age related changes in your neck and for most people this does not cause any problems. However, in a small percentage of people this progresses and causes pressure on the spinal cord, known as degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Other forms of cervical myelopathy may occur in adults at any age, although this occurs less frequently than the degenerative type.

You need to be aware of the symptoms of this condition so that you can seek timely medical assessment if they were to occur. If the condition was to be left untreated it could cause permanent nerve damage with lifelong symptoms as listed below and in some cases
paralysis.

Symptoms of cervical myelopathy may include:

neck pain and stiffness with pain in arms and/or legs

arms and/or legs becoming weak, numb or tingly

loss of control for fine movement of the hands such as doing up buttons or picking up coins

imbalance or unsteadiness on walking

changes to bladder function such as urgency to pass urine, difficulty passing urine or incontinence

changes to bowel function such as incontinence

If you notice you have gradually developed any of these symptoms, please speak with your GP or physiotherapist as a priority.

If you develop rapid deterioration of the above symptoms seek emergency medical attention.

Understanding cervical radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is a clinical condition associated with pain, numbness and or muscle weaknesses of the upper limbs due to a compression or irritation of the nerves coming out from your neck.

In most cases it will improve with conservative treatment, including physiotherapy and appropriate exercises are essential. Neuropathic medication which could be prescribed by your GP may also help.

Neck exercises

Read below for advice and exercises to manage neck pain. This guidance has been produced by the Dynamic Health physiotherapy service. It offers simple measures to help you manage your neck problem safely. Often the right advice and exercises are all you need to improve the problem.

This information has been made available to your GP, who may ask you to try the advice and exercises prior to consulting a physiotherapist.

How much exercise should I do?

A senior couple on yoga mats outside in a park in a bent knee standing pose with arms outstretched.

Exercise every other day

cropped image of two people, one black and one while in shorts and t-shirts on an exercise bike pedalling. Close crop on their hands on handle bars and their legs moving.

Choose 3 or 4 exercises

Young asian man running on the spot wearing a t-shirt and shorts in their living room on a wooden floor.

Repeat the exercise

Rest

Once an exercise is easy, progress it

How much pain is too much pain?

Read below for advice and exercises to manage knee pain.

Before exercising

A maximum pain level

If your pain increases

Level 1 exercises

Off-loading position

Neck rotation

Neck side flexion

Neck flexion

Upper neck stretch

Shoulder blade placement

Level 2 exercises

Sitting exercise 1

Sitting exercise 2

Sitting straight backed

Exercise band row

Need more help?

Consider self referring using the link below

If you have a new injury or problem, please look at the self help information in our advice pages. We will often complete the same exercises and share information in clinic appointments.

If you still need some more help you can self refer into our service. Please note that the NHS is currently experiencing longer than normal waits, for more information visit our waiting times page.

Refer yourself to physiotherapy

Senior white woman in a white blazer sitting in front of a desk with a computer as a practitioner explains during a physiotherapy appointment

Need more information?

Other help and advice

Neck pain