Cervical radiculopathy is diagnosed from the pattern of symptoms following a specific nerve root, confirmed by examination and, where localisation matters, by electrodiagnostic testing. Imaging shows structure but cannot on its own prove a root is causing your symptoms.
Cervical radiculopathy is diagnosed from the pattern of symptoms following a specific nerve root, confirmed by examination and, where localisation matters, by electrodiagnostic testing. Imaging shows structure but cannot on its own prove a root is causing your symptoms.
Each cervical nerve root supplies a predictable strip of skin, a specific group of muscles and a particular reflex. Pain and numbness radiating from the neck into the shoulder, arm and specific fingers follows that map, and the fingers involved indicate which root is affected. Symptoms are often worse when extending or turning the neck towards the affected side, and coughing or sneezing frequently sends a jolt along the path. Relief when resting the hand on top of the head is a recognised and quite specific sign.
Examination tests sensation in each dermatome, strength in the muscles supplied by each root, and reflexes, looking for a pattern that fits one level. Imaging is where people go wrong: disc bulges and degenerative changes are extremely common in the cervical spines of people with no symptoms at all, so finding one on an MRI does not establish that it is causing your arm pain. The scan has to match the clinical picture, not replace it.
Nerve conduction studies with electromyography answer a question imaging cannot: whether a nerve root is actually functioning abnormally, and at which level. They also distinguish radiculopathy from carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and a generalised peripheral neuropathy, all of which produce overlapping hand symptoms and are treated entirely differently. Both CNS offices perform and interpret these studies on site. This practice performs no surgery; where an operation is indicated, referral is made.
Clinical Neurology Specialists has been physician-owned since 1998, when Leo Germin, M.D., FAANEM founded it. Five board-certified neurologists and four advanced practice providers see patients at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices, each with its own AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Clinical Neurology Specialists is an adult outpatient neurology practice for patients 18 and older. The practice performs no surgery and operates no imaging suite, infusion suite or interventional pain programme, and provides no emergency or inpatient care.
Physician-reviewed. Reviewed by the physicians of Clinical Neurology Specialists — board-certified neurologists, AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratories, physician-owned since 1998. Reviewed 1 August 2026. This article is general education for adults 18 and older and is not a substitute for a consultation.
Adults 18 and older, at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices. Call 702-804-1212 or request an appointment online.