Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Triage and immediate threats
Time critical triggers
Progressive objective weakness
If rapid progression, emergent MRI cervical spine
If airway compromise from neck pathology, escalate to resuscitation bay
Cervical myelopathy features
If gait disturbance or hand clumsiness, emergent MRI cervical spine
If bowel or bladder dysfunction, emergent spine consultation
Spinal epidural abscess risk
If fever plus neck pain plus neurologic deficit, initiate sepsis pathway and emergent MRI
If IVDU or recent spinal procedure, lower threshold for MRI
Malignancy concern
If known cancer plus night pain or weight loss, urgent MRI
If new severe unremitting pain at rest, urgent imaging
Stabilization priorities
Neurologic status trend
If worsening motor deficit, spine consultation now
If new long tract signs, treat as cord compression until proven otherwise
Pain control without oversedation
If severe pain limiting exam, initiate multimodal analgesia
If opioid used, reassessment for neurologic change after analgesia
Key concepts
Working diagnosis frame
Cervical nerve root compression or inflammation
Common mechanisms
Foraminal stenosis from spondylosis
Disc herniation with nerve root irritation
Symptom pattern
Neck pain with radiating arm pain in dermatomal distribution
Paresthesia and weakness in myotomal pattern
Common high risk misses
Myelopathy mistaken for radiculopathy
Hyperreflexia and gait change as key separators
Bilateral symptoms as higher risk
Vascular emergencies
Cervical artery dissection presenting with neck pain and neurologic symptoms
Acute coronary syndrome presenting as arm pain
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.