Which level is the most common source of cervical radiculopathy due to degenerative changes?

Which level is the most common source of cervical radiculopathy due to degenerative changes?

• A. C4-C5
• B. C5-C6
• C. C6-C7
• D. C3-C4

Answer: (B)

Degenerative changes in the cervical spine most commonly affect the C5-C6 segment. This level endures a lot of motion and loading from everyday neck movements, which promotes disc degeneration, osteophyte formation, and facet joint arthropathy. As these changes progress, the neural foramen can narrow and the exiting nerve root gets compressed, typically the C6 nerve root at this level. That pattern explains why C5-C6 is the usual source of degenerative cervical radiculopathy, with radicular symptoms in a C6 distribution and often weakness related to the muscles served by that root. Other levels can be involved, but this one is the most frequently implicated.

Degenerative changes in the cervical spine most commonly affect the C5-C6 segment. This level endures a lot of motion and loading from everyday neck movements, which promotes disc degeneration, osteophyte formation, and facet joint arthropathy. As these changes progress, the neural foramen can narrow and the exiting nerve root gets compressed, typically the C6 nerve root at this level. That pattern explains why C5-C6 is the usual source of degenerative cervical radiculopathy, with radicular symptoms in a C6 distribution and often weakness related to the muscles served by that root. Other levels can be involved, but this one is the most frequently implicated.