The ventral ramus forms the cervical and brachial plexuses that supply the extremity. After the nerve exits the foramen, it divides into dorsal and ventral ramus. Spinal nerves are sensory and motor nerves mixed, which form the dorsal and ventral nerve rootlets distal to the dorsal root ganglion in intervertebral foramina. However, electromyography (EMG) can show a change when there is a small percent loss of motor axons, which can be missed on a physical exam.Ī thorough understanding of anatomy is essential for radiculopathy evaluation. These findings come with limitations due to the subjective nature of the exam. Diminished reflexes, particularly involving the triceps by a C7 nerve root involvement, are the most common neurological finding. Although not every patient will exhibit the same symptoms for radiculopathies, it is common to see decreased reflexes related to the affected nerve root, weakness in muscles innervated by the affected nerve root, and sensory symptoms in the dermatomal pattern.

On inspection, it is necessary to evaluate muscle atrophy as well. On the physical exam, it is essential to test motor strength, sensation, and reflexes bilaterally. If there is motor nerve involvement, patients will also complain of weakness in the involved nerve's myotomal distribution. This is often accompanied by numbness and tingling caused by the impinged sensory nerve's dermatome distribution. Patients with cervical radiculopathy commonly complain of neck pain, with radiation to the arm.

Emg test for neck pain