THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY

To provide a comprehensive review of the presentation, evaluation, dif ferential diagnosis, treatment and return-to-play criteria which can b e useful to the clinician caring for athletes with cervical radiculopa thy. A review of the literature on cervical radiculopathy and sports i njuries of the cervical spine was performed. This information was used in conjuction with the author's clinical experience to present a lite rature based approach to the diagnosis and treatment of cervical radic ulopathy in athletic individuals. There was limited scientific literat ure on the evaluation and treatment of cervical radiculopathy in athle tes. Many studies reported on the evaluation and treatment of the ''bu rner'' or ''stinger'' in the younger athlete which may represent a cer vical radiculopathy in many of these cases. A nonoperative treatment p lan using a logical step-wise approach is successful in the vast major ity of these patients. Using the history and a detailed physical exami nation, along with imaging and other diagnostic studies when necessary , a proper diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy can be made. Once a dis crete diagnosis is made, then a systematic approach to the treatment a nd rehabilitation can be implemented to optimize a safe return to comp etition.