Symptoms of Common Radiculopathies by Dermatomal Level
Level | Symptoms |
|---|---|
C4 | Pain in the lower neck and trapezius area with paresthesias involving the lower neck and upper shoulder girdle |
C5 | Pain in neck, shoulder, and dorsal forearm with paresthesias and numbness involving the dorsal arm Weakness of deltoid, biceps, rotator cuff Decrease in the biceps reflex |
C6 | Pain in the trapezius ridge and tip of the shoulder, often radiating to the thumb and index finger, with paresthesias and numbness in the same areas Weakness of the wrist extensors Decreased brachioradialis and pronator teres reflexes |
C7 | Pain, paresthesias, and numbness in the shoulder blade and axilla, radiating to the long and ring fingers Weakness of triceps Decreased triceps brachii reflex |
T1 | Numbness and tingling in the proximal medial forearm Possible mild hand weakness |
T2-T12 | Bandlike dysesthesias around the thorax (eg, T6 nipple and T10 umbilicus) |
L1-L2 | Pain, numbness, and paresthesias in the proximal anterior and medial thigh Hip flexor weakness |
L3 | Pain, numbness, and paresthesias in anterolateral thigh and knee with quadriceps weakness and diminished patellar reflex |
L4 | Pain, numbness, and paresthesias in posterolateral thigh and anterior leg, weakness of ankle dorsiflexion, and diminished patellar reflex |
L5 | Pain in the buttock, posterior lateral thigh, anterolateral leg, and dorsal foot Footdrop with weakness of the extensor hallucis longus and anterior tibial, and peroneal muscles Diminished hamstring reflex Pain, numbness, and paresthesias over the shin and dorsal foot |
S1 | Pain along the posterior aspect of the thigh, leg, and buttock Weakness of the gastrocnemius muscle with impaired ankle plantar flexion Loss of the ankle jerk (Achilles reflex) Numbness and paresthesias over the lateral aspects of the calf, ankle, and foot |