Is There Leg Pain With a Cervical Pinched Nerve?

A cervical pinched nerve or cervical radiculopathy can be caused by a herniated disc or stenosis (narrowing) in the spinal canal of the neck. Symptoms usually cause numbness, weakness and radiating pain in the shoulder and arms, but not the legs.

Identification

• Lumbar (lower back) pinched nerves are more likely to cause sciatica pain that shoots down the legs. Cervical pain affects reflexes in the shoulder and arms. However, it is possible that one may also have lumbar pain along with a cervical pinched nerve, which could be radiating down the legs.

Types of Symptoms

• There are seven cervical vertebrae. Pinched nerves in the fifth cervical vertebrae can cause pain and numbness in the shoulder area. Pain in the sixth cervical vertebrae often radiates down to the biceps to the wrist and thumbs.

Other Types of Symptoms

• A pinched nerve in the seventh cervical vertebrae region can cause numbness and pain that radiates down the arm to the middle finger. Any pinched nerve in the eighth cervical vertebrae region can cause pain and numbness in the little finger or hand.

Effects of Treatments

• Recovering from a pinched cervical nerve requires rest, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, ice, massage and exercise. Surgery may be required for more structural problems such as cervical stenosis.

Time Frame

• There is no set time frame for overcoming a pinched nerve in the cervical region. Recovery time is contingent upon the aggressiveness of the treatment.