Are tender points associated with cervical radiculopathy?

Abstract

To determine if there is an association between cervical radiculopathy and tender spots in the neck and upper extremity on the side of radiculopathy. Prospective cross-sectional study. Outpatient spine clinic within an academic institution. Convenience sample of 16 subjects with unilateral cervical radiculopathy. Twelve subjects had C7 radiculopathy and 4 had C6 or C8 radiculopathy. Bilateral pain-pressure threshold measurement (14 muscles) of the neck and upper extremity. Side-to-side difference in pain-pressure threshold. 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. Cervical radiculopathy was associated with increased tender spots on the side of radiculopathy, with predilection toward muscles innervated by the involved nerve root.