Are tender points associated with cervical radiculopathy?

OBJECTIVE

To determine if there is an association between cervical radiculopathy and tender spots in the neck and upper extremity on the side of radiculopathy.

DESIGN

Prospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Outpatient spine clinic within an academic institution.

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience sample of 16 subjects with unilateral cervical radiculopathy. Twelve subjects had C7 radiculopathy and 4 had C6 or C8 radiculopathy.

INTERVENTION: Bilateral pain-pressure threshold measurement (14 muscles) of the neck and upper extremity.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Side-to-side difference in pain-pressure threshold.

RESULTS

Differences in frequency of tender spots were found only in the deltoid and flexor carpi radialis. Overall, more tender spots were found on the side of radiculopathy (75 vs 34, P < .01). Among subjects with C7 radiculopathy, the number of tender spots in C7 innervated muscles was greater on the side of radiculopathy (23 vs 7, P < .02). In contrast, no significant difference in the number of tender spots between sides was found when only non-C7 innervated muscles (P > 0.1) were considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical radiculopathy was associated with increased tender spots on the side of radiculopathy, with predilection toward muscles innervated by the involved nerve root.