Steemit Learning Challenge-S21W3; Cervical Radiculopathy"
It's another time to share with you all what I have learned in this class, I'm sure everyone like to be admired for being healthy and physically fit, let's go.
What's Cervical Radiculopathy? Write in your own words after getting knowledge from the lesson post.
This is an irritated nerve in the neck causing stiffness,pain or numbness this pain can be seen reaching the chest or arms. The pain can be severe,mild or manageable depending on individual. Any damage or clothing blocking the cervical nerve root in this region causes this Cervical Radiculopathy.
The symptoms:
Any patient having this sickness will be feeling an excruciating pain , numbness that runs through the neck ,arms to the hand region. Which makes simple works uneasy to perform
Causes
- Tumor
- Fractures at the neck region
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone spur
- Unwanted growth
- Infection.
Preventions.
Maintaining a normal neck posture: it is necessary to always support the neck when driving, or seating. To avoid numbness or pain.
Regularly Cervical Radiculopathy exercises. It's advisable to perform all these neck exercises to allow free flow of nerves in the neck region.
Healthy weight. The importance of maintaining good weight can not be overlooked, as such having a moderate weight can prevent one from experiencing this cervical Radiculopathy.
Avoid taking too much tobacco . Taking too much tobacco can trigger or damage the bone nervous system that lead to neck numbness.
Treatment
It can correct on its own, but if the symptoms persist , some drugs can be recommended or better style surgery can be carried out.
How would you diagnose a Cervical Radiculopathy? Any clinical investigation or assessment tests?
There's a saying that goes this way , He who wears the shoe knows exactly where it hurts.
Therefore to diagnose a cervical Radiculopathy , the physician preferably An otolaryngologist will ask the patient where he or she is feeling the pain. It's important at this time to know the medical history of the patient to know if it genetic , after then the doctor can proceed in check the patient neck,arms and hands to observe where the pains is coming from. Another important step is to do some medical check up like laboratory test to know how chronic the pain is .
X-ray is also recommended to know the actual region the pain is emanating from. Since the X-ray will be done at the neck region it will review the main cause
EMG: This is done to know where there abnormalities in the nerves.
Try to practice at least 3 exercises that you have learned from the lesson. Share images, gifs or videos while practising
Isometrics Neck Retraction
I did this by bring my chin down towards my neck, then I press my back my head , I felt the stretch in the back of my neck.
Isometric Neck Flexion
Trapezoius, Scalene, Levator Scapulae Stretch
Share your review after performing these exercises either on yourself, healthy individual or patient.
I did this exercise on myself, because I really need it , pressing phone none stop sometimes makes me feel pain in my neck bone, before now I didn't know much about doing any neck exercises.
Honestly, the three exercises I did was really helpful, I felt relieved though there was slight pain after the process , I think I will keep practicing them even after now.
I'm glad that this is not one of those death sentence sickness. At least it is curable. I'm inviting @malikusman1 @alee75 @ngoenyi @irawandedy to join this amazing class.
Special mention
@ashkhan
Thank you for understanding the lesson and sharing your assignment; I hope that you will enjoy this week's lesson and try to implement it in your life if you see any such case.
Observations
Task 1 (2.5/3)
You have shared a great knowledge about cervical radiculopathy, and it's causes, symptoms, treatment, but you have to add the vertebrae involve in cervical radiculopathy & it's second name too. I appreciate your effort.
Task 2 (2.3/3)
In the second question, you tell us about how you have to assess a patient by doing the physical examination, history taking, investigations of patients But you have to perform the 1 or 2 special tests that I wrote this week lesson. You have share good knowledge but the best test for nerve examination is NCS nerve conduction study to assess. Great.
Task 3 (2.5/4)
You try the isometric cervical extension, retraction and upper trapezoius stretch. But while performing Isometric exercises you have to apply resistance & apply that much force that didn't allow head movement. It would be better to add gifs of Exercises if you can't add videos because in pictures somehow positions are wrong. Trapezoius stretch was good and in correct way. Remember always apply heating pad to relax your muscles before performing these exercises. I appreciate your efforts.
Overall you made a great attempt to answer all the questions. I appreciate your efforts. But next time try to avoid the above written suggestions. Keep learning and try to implement your knowledge to the people suffering from any cervical radiculopathy. Thank you.