What are some arm problems that can mimic cervical radiculopathy?
Shoulder problems such as subacromial impingement, rotator cuff problems and arthritis can mimic cervical radiculopathy in that they can all cause shoulder girdle pain. All can cause pain to seem to radiate either from or to the shoulder to the neck and into the upper arm. Numbness does not usually accompany the shoulder pathology, but can occur with cervical spine pathology. Other common complaints with these shoulder ailments that help to differentiate them from spine pathology include pain that wakes you up at night when you roll onto the shoulder; difficulty raising your arm over your head; difficulty with reaching into your back pocket. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of your median nerve at the wrist, it can cause pain in your forearm, wrist and hand. It can cause numbness in your middle three fingers and weakness in your hand. It can awaken you with wrist and hand pain, numbness or tingling at night as a result of compression while you sleep with your wrists flex
