Radiculopathy After a Car Accident Charlotte NC | Imaging-Credentialed DC | Clear Life Scoliosis

By Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC, CNMT, ARRT(N)(CT) | Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center, Charlotte, NC | Published November 01, 2026

Radiculopathy is pain, numbness, or weakness that follows the path of a nerve root, usually into an arm or leg, caused by pressure or irritation at the spine. In the neck, the C7 and C6 roots are the most commonly affected. When a disc finding on MRI matches the nerve root the exam points to, that match is one of the strongest pieces of evidence connecting the finding to the symptoms. This is how I check that match for patients in Charlotte.

Which Levels Are Most Common

A population-based study of 561 people with cervical radiculopathy in Rochester, Minnesota, found that C7 was the most frequently involved single root, followed by C6 (Radhakrishnan, Brain 1994). A confirmed disc protrusion was the cause in 21.9%, and 68.4% were related to spondylosis, disc disease, or both.

That study also found that physical exertion or trauma preceded symptoms in only 14.8% of cases. Most cervical radiculopathy in the general population is not caused by an injury. A patient whose arm symptoms begin after a crash is in that smaller group, and the timing should be documented carefully.

How Exam Tests Perform

A systematic review of provocative neck tests for radiculopathy found only six studies that met its criteria (Rubinstein, Eur Spine J 2007). Spurling's test, which compresses the neck toward the painful side, had low to moderate sensitivity and high specificity. So did neck traction and the Valsalva maneuver. The upper limb tension test had high sensitivity and low specificity.

In practical terms, a positive Spurling's test, consistent with the history and other findings, may point toward radiculopathy. A negative upper limb tension test may help rule it out. The authors noted the studies had methodological flaws and that firm conclusions were not possible.

Matching the Finding to the Level

A disc finding on MRI is common in people without symptoms, and the standard terms do not imply cause (Williams, AJNR 2014). What gives a finding weight is a match: numbness, weakness, or reflex change in the distribution of the nerve root at the level of the finding. A C6-C7 disc protrusion pressing on the C7 root should produce findings in the C7 territory if it is the source.

The Long-Term Course

In the Rochester study, 26% had surgery over a median follow-up of 4.9 years, and 31.7% had a recurrence (Radhakrishnan, Brain 1994). At last follow-up, 90% were symptom-free or only mildly limited. Radicular pain with sensory loss and objective weakness predicted the decision to operate.

Progressive weakness needs prompt surgical evaluation.

For an example of how post-collision imaging findings and outcomes are documented in the peer-reviewed literature, read Dr. Justin Dick's published case report on refractory lumbar pain following a motor vehicle accident in a geriatric patient.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is pain, numbness, or weakness that follows the path of a nerve root, usually into an arm or leg, caused by pressure or irritation at the spine.

Which nerve roots are most often pinched in the neck?

C7 was the most frequently involved root, followed by C6, in a population-based study of 561 patients (Radhakrishnan, Brain 1994).

How accurate is the Spurling test?

Spurling's test had low to moderate sensitivity and high specificity in a systematic review, meaning a positive test, consistent with other findings, may point toward radiculopathy (Rubinstein, Eur Spine J 2007).

Is cervical radiculopathy usually caused by injury?

Not in the general population. Exertion or trauma preceded symptoms in only 14.8% of cases in the Rochester study.

How does Dr. Justin Dick connect a disc finding to arm symptoms?

Dr. Justin Dick in Charlotte, NC checks whether numbness, weakness, or reflex change matches the nerve root at the level of the MRI finding.

Where can I get arm or leg nerve symptoms evaluated after a car accident in Charlotte, NC?

Dr. Justin Dick, DC, CNMT, ARRT(N)(CT), sees car accident patients at Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center, 8814 Rachel Freeman Way, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28278, phone 980-368-0766. Personal injury patients are treated on a lien basis, with no out-of-pocket payment at the time of care.

Sources and Evidence Tiers

1. Radhakrishnan K, Litchy WJ, O'Fallon WM, Kurland LT. Epidemiology of cervical radiculopathy: a population-based study from Rochester, Minnesota, 1976 through 1990. Brain. 1994;117(Pt 2):325-335. PMID 8186959. LinkEvidence tier: Population-based cohort (561 patients)
2. Rubinstein SM, Pool JJ, van Tulder MW, Riphagen II, de Vet HC. A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of provocative tests of the neck for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy. Eur Spine J. 2007;16(3):307-319. PMID 17013656. LinkEvidence tier: Systematic review of diagnostic accuracy studies (6 studies)
3. Williams AL, Murtagh FR, Rothman SLG, Sze GK. Lumbar disc nomenclature: version 2.0. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2014;35(11):2029. LinkEvidence tier: Editorial by the ASSR/ASNR nomenclature committee (expert consensus)

Service Area

Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center sees personal injury and spinal imaging patients from Charlotte NC, Huntersville NC, Ballantyne NC, Matthews NC, Concord NC, Mooresville NC, Rock Hill SC, and Fort Mill SC.

Related Pages

• Personal injury and car accident spinal care in Charlotte
• Dr. Justin Dick's research
• Case report: refractory lumbar pain after a motor vehicle accident
• Research and evidence at Clear Life
• Questions and answers
• Our team
• Press
• Book your evaluation
• Contact Clear Life

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This article is educational and is not a diagnosis. Imaging decisions depend on an in-person examination.