• Rama Letchuman, Ralph E Gay, Randy A Shelerud, and Lisa A VanOstrand.
• Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Mayo Comprehensive Spine Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55904, USA.
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Jul 1; 86 (7): 1333-7.

ObjectiveTo determine if there is an association between cervical radiculopathy and tender spots in the neck and upper extremity on the side of radiculopathy.DesignProspective cross-sectional study.SettingOutpatient spine clinic within an academic institution.ParticipantsConvenience sample of 16 subjects with unilateral cervical radiculopathy. Twelve subjects had C7 radiculopathy and 4 had C6 or C8 radiculopathy.InterventionBilateral pain-pressure threshold measurement (14 muscles) of the neck and upper extremity.Main Outcome MeasureSide-to-side difference in pain-pressure threshold.ResultsDifferences 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.ConclusionsCervical radiculopathy was associated with increased tender spots on the side of radiculopathy, with predilection toward muscles innervated by the involved nerve root.

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