The important factors that suggest the need for more specific evaluation or treatment are the severity of the pain, the duration of the symptoms, and/or weakness in the neck or limbs.
There are several cervical radiculopathy tests including, X-rays, computed tomography (CT or CAT) scans and MRIs to evaluate the source of problems.
Dr. Ahuja and staff perform imaging procedures at The Brain and Spine Imaging Center, our state-of-the-art imaging facility in Franklin, Wisconsin.
Further, more invasive testing can include:
Nerve conduction studies, which measure nerve and muscle function.
Myelograms, a test where contrast dye is injected into the sack around the spinal cord followed by imaging studies to see what areas might be causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Discograms, in which a contrast dye is injected into the disc itself to determine whether it is herniated and to what extent the disc might be contributing to whatever symptoms are present.