Use pain radiation, sensory loss, and myotomal weakness to localize the cervical root level before ordering more tests or considering intervention. Document the lesion level and the management step it implies.

Cervical radiculopathy most often reflects C6 or C7 root involvement; Disc herniation and spondylosis are common structural causes; Neck pain radiating into the arm is the dominant symptom pattern; Sensory symptoms are very common and may be non-dermatomal; Spurling, Valsalva, and shoulder abduction tests are highly specific