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Abstract
C6 radiculopathy: asymmetric atrophy of multifidus muscles
published in January - February 2021 - in Il Fisioterapista - issue n.1
Massimo Bitocchi

The aim of this article was to assess the statistical data reported in the literature regarding the role of atrophy of multifidus muscles in patients with cervical C6 radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy, defined as the inflammation or impingement of the nerve root, is mainly due to disc herniation. It is characterized by neck and shoulder pain combined with sensory loss or loss of motor function. Little is known about the natural course of cervical radiculopathy. Previously, it was reported that a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscles does not recover spontaneously after pain reduction, and specialized muscle training exercises should be recommended to prevent the recurrence of neck pain. In this article, we analyze a study by Yun et al. (2019), who observed atrophy of the multifidus muscles ipsilateral to the cervical radiculopathy in patients who suffered from unilateral radiculopathy.