Sensory Symptoms
- 1. The first seven cervical nerves exit above the same numbered cervical vertebrae.
- 2. L5 radiculopathies cause radiating pain along the posterior thigh to the dorsum of the foot and big toe.
- 3. Indications for surgery in patients with radiculopathies are intractable pain, progressive motor weakness or sensory deficits, or symptoms refractory to a reasonable period of nonoperative therapy.
- 4. Neurogenic claudication (pseudoclaudication) presents typically as bilateral, asymmetric, lower extremity pain that is provoked by walking (occasionally standing) and is relieved by rest.
- 5. Compression of the C6 nerve root causes radicular pain in the lateral side of the forearm and thumb, C7 compression causes pain in the index and middle fingers, and C8 compression causes symptoms in the fourth and fifth fingers.