Table 2- Symptoms and signs of nerve root compression

Nerve Pain Loss of

Motor weakness Loss of sense
root Paraesthesia reflex
Neck, Shoulder, Shoulder abduction Shoulder
C5 Biceps
Upper arm Elbow flexion Lateral side of arm
Neck, Shoulder,
Lateral side of upper Biceps Elbow flexion Lateral side of arm
C6
arm, Lateral side of Supinator Wrist extension Thumb, Index finger
fore arm
Neck, Lateral side of
Lateral side of upper arm,
C7 arm, Fourth finger, Triceps Elbow extension
Index finger, Middle finger
Index finger
Central side of fore arm,
Fore arm, Medial side
C8 - Finger flexion Medial side of fourth finger,
of hand
Fifth finger
Finger abduction
T1 Upper arm - Medial side of upper arm
Finger adduction
Anterior side of Hip flexion Anterior side of femoral
L2 -
femoral region Hip adduction region
Medial side of Medial side of femoral
L3 Patella Knee extension
femoral region region, Knee
Anterior side of hip, Anterior side of hip,
L4 Patella Knee extension
Medial side of leg Medial side of calf
Lateral side of
femoral region,
Foot inversion, Lateral side of calf, Anterior
L5 Lateral side of calf, -
Finger dorsiflexion side of foot, Hallux
Anterior side of foot,
Hallux
Posterior side of
femoral region, Posterior side of calf, Lateral
S1 Achilles Plantar flexion of foot
Posterior side of calf, side of foot, Little toe
Lateral side of foot
0- Complete paralysis, 1- Flicker of contraction possible, 2- Movement possible if gravity
Muscle
eliminated, 3- Movement against gravity but not resistance, 4- Movement possible against
power some resistance, 5- Normal