Which sign is more likely to be seen in protracted mechanical neck pain rather than cervical radiculopathy?

• A. Absence of dermatomal sensory loss and preserved reflexes
• B. Dermatomal hypoesthesia
• C. Positive Spurling test
• D. Hyperreflexia

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that mechanical neck pain usually does not involve nerve root problems, so there are no dermatomal sensory losses and reflexes stay normal. Cervical radiculopathy, on the other hand, typically shows nerve-root–specific sensory changes in a dermatomal pattern and may have reduced reflexes in the affected myotomes. A sign of positive Spurling test would support radiculopathy, since it indicates nerve root irritation from foraminal compression. Hyperreflexia suggests upper motor neuron involvement (myelopathy) and is not expected with simple radicular pain or mechanical neck pain. So the absence of dermatomal sensory loss with preserved reflexes best fits protracted mechanical neck pain.