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Patient Resources
Interactive Symptom Navigator
Select a body region to explore commonly evaluated conditions, educational resources, and preparation guidance for your appointment. This tool is educational and does not provide a diagnosis.
When to seek urgent evaluationNew weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, foot drop, stroke-like symptoms, severe sudden headache, fever with neurologic symptoms, or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent medical evaluation — do not wait for an appointment.
Cervical
Cervical Spine / Neck
Neck pain, cervical disc disease, cervical radiculopathy, or myelopathy
When to seek urgent evaluation
Rapidly progressive arm or leg weakness
New loss of bowel or bladder control
Severe sudden neck pain after trauma or fall
Progressive difficulty walking or balance loss
Numbness affecting both arms or both hands simultaneously
Fever with neck pain or neurological symptoms
Swallowing or breathing difficulty after neck surgery
Seek urgent evaluation for rapidly progressive arm or leg weakness, new loss of bowel or bladder control, sudden severe neck pain after trauma, progressive difficulty walking, or any signs of spinal cord injury.
Common symptoms in this category
Select any that apply — a summary will appear at the bottom of this page.
Commonly evaluated conditions
These conditions may be associated with the symptoms above. This is educational and does not imply a diagnosis.
Removal of part of the posterior vertebral bone to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Common evaluation
Common evaluation may include MRI of the cervical spine, cervical X-rays with flexion-extension views, CT myelography when MRI is limited, EMG and nerve conduction studies for radiculopathy confirmation, and detailed neurological examination.
Conservative treatment options
Physical therapy focused on cervical stabilization, anti-inflammatory medications, cervical epidural steroid injections or selective nerve root blocks, activity modification, and short-term cervical collar use for selected cases.
Surgical considerations
Surgical options may include anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical disc arthroplasty (artificial disc replacement), posterior cervical foraminotomy, or posterior cervical laminoplasty or laminectomy for myelopathy.
The neck region of the spine, made up of seven vertebrae.
Disc
A cushion between spinal vertebrae, made of a tough outer ring and softer center.
Disc degeneration
Age-related or wear-related changes in a spinal disc that may contribute to pain or nerve compression.
Foramen
An opening through which nerves or blood vessels pass.
Laminectomy
Removal of one or more laminae to decompress nerves or access the spinal canal.
Radiculopathy
Symptoms caused by irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root, often including pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Peripheral
Arm / Peripheral Nerve
Arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness from cervical radiculopathy or peripheral nerve compression
When to seek urgent evaluation
Rapidly progressive hand weakness or inability to grip
Loss of fine motor control or frequent dropping of objects
Severe numbness affecting the entire hand
Symptoms in both arms at the same time
Balance problems or leg symptoms with arm pain
Seek urgent evaluation for sudden or rapidly worsening hand weakness, inability to move the fingers, loss of fine motor control, or any signs of cervical cord compression such as balance problems or leg symptoms.
Common symptoms in this category
Select any that apply — a summary will appear at the bottom of this page.
Commonly evaluated conditions
These conditions may be associated with the symptoms above. This is educational and does not imply a diagnosis.
Surgical correction and stabilization for selected complex spinal deformity cases.
Common evaluation
Evaluation often includes MRI of the cervical spine, nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG), upper extremity X-rays, and a thorough neurological and vascular exam to identify the affected nerve or root.
Conservative treatment options
Initial treatment may include activity modification, physical therapy for posture and shoulder mechanics, anti-inflammatory medication, night splinting for carpal tunnel, nerve gliding exercises, and targeted injections for nerve root pain.
Surgical considerations
Surgical options may include cervical discectomy and foraminotomy for radiculopathy, carpal tunnel release, cubital tunnel release, ulnar nerve transposition, or thoracic outlet decompression depending on the underlying diagnosis.
A network of nerves traveling from the neck into the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Nerve root
A spinal nerve as it leaves or travels near the spinal canal.
Radiculopathy
Symptoms caused by irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root, often including pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve compression condition in the wrist that causes numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.
Lumbar
Lumbar Spine / Low Back
Low back pain, lumbar disc disease, sciatica, or lumbar stenosis
When to seek urgent evaluation
New loss of bowel or bladder control
Saddle anesthesia — numbness in the groin or inner thighs
Rapidly progressive leg weakness or foot drop
Severe back pain after trauma or fall
Fever with back pain or neurological symptoms
New foot drop — inability to lift the foot
Bilateral leg weakness or numbness
Seek urgent evaluation for new loss of bowel or bladder control, saddle anesthesia (numbness in the groin and inner thighs), rapidly progressive leg weakness, or severe sudden neurological symptoms — these may indicate cauda equina syndrome requiring emergency surgery.
Common symptoms in this category
Select any that apply — a summary will appear at the bottom of this page.
Commonly evaluated conditions
These conditions may be associated with the symptoms above. This is educational and does not imply a diagnosis.
Image-guided procedure using balloon-assisted cavity creation and bone cement to stabilize selected compression fractures.
Common evaluation
Common evaluation may include MRI of the lumbar spine, standing lumbar X-rays, CT myelography when MRI is limited, and EMG and nerve conduction studies to assess nerve root function.
Conservative treatment options
Physical therapy focused on core stabilization and lumbar mechanics, anti-inflammatory medications, lumbar epidural steroid injections or selective nerve root blocks, activity modification, and education about posture and movement.
Surgical considerations
Surgical options may include microdiscectomy for disc herniation, decompressive laminectomy for stenosis, lumbar spinal fusion for instability or spondylolisthesis, and minimally invasive approaches for appropriate candidates.
A cushion between spinal vertebrae, made of a tough outer ring and softer center.
Disc degeneration
Age-related or wear-related changes in a spinal disc that may contribute to pain or nerve compression.
Radiculopathy
Symptoms caused by irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root, often including pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Cauda equina
The bundle of nerve roots below the end of the spinal cord in the lower spinal canal.
Cauda equina syndrome
A serious condition from compression of the lower spinal nerve roots, often involving leg symptoms and bowel or bladder dysfunction.
Lumbar
Leg / Lower Extremity
Leg pain, numbness, weakness, or sciatica from lumbar nerve compression or peripheral nerve irritation
When to seek urgent evaluation
New loss of bowel or bladder control
Saddle anesthesia
Rapidly progressive leg weakness
Severe foot drop or inability to walk
Bilateral leg numbness or weakness
Seek urgent evaluation for new bowel or bladder changes, saddle anesthesia, rapidly progressive leg weakness, or severe numbness in both legs — symptoms that may indicate cauda equina syndrome.
Common symptoms in this category
Select any that apply — a summary will appear at the bottom of this page.
Commonly evaluated conditions
These conditions may be associated with the symptoms above. This is educational and does not imply a diagnosis.
Evaluation may include MRI of the lumbar spine, standing lumbar X-rays, CT myelography when MRI is limited, and EMG with nerve conduction studies to locate the nerve injury.
Conservative treatment options
Conservative care may include physical therapy focused on core stability and posture, anti-inflammatory medications, epidural steroid injections, activity modification, and gait training.
Surgical considerations
Surgical options may include microdiscectomy, decompressive laminectomy, spinal fusion for instability, or targeted peripheral nerve decompression for foot drop or localized nerve entrapment.
The bundle of nerve roots below the end of the spinal cord in the lower spinal canal.
Radiculopathy
Symptoms caused by irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root, often including pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Brain
Brain / Head
Headache, brain lesion, hydrocephalus, cranial nerve symptoms, or vascular concerns
When to seek urgent evaluation
The worst headache of your life — sudden and severe
Sudden arm or leg weakness or facial drooping suggesting stroke
Sudden speech difficulty or acute confusion
New or worsening seizures
Sudden vision loss or double vision
Progressive headache with fever or stiff neck
Sudden severe balance loss or inability to walk
Seek urgent or emergency evaluation for the worst headache of your life, sudden vision loss, facial drooping, arm or leg weakness (stroke symptoms), new seizures, or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms.
Common symptoms in this category
Select any that apply — a summary will appear at the bottom of this page.
Commonly evaluated conditions
These conditions may be associated with the symptoms above. This is educational and does not imply a diagnosis.
Microsurgical procedure used in selected nerve compression syndromes, including trigeminal neuralgia.
Common evaluation
Common evaluation includes MRI of the brain with and without contrast, MR angiography or CT angiography for vascular concerns, CT scan for acute evaluation, neurological examination, and visual field testing when appropriate.
Conservative treatment options
Management depends on the diagnosis. Many meningiomas and low-grade tumors may be observed with serial imaging. Seizure medications, headache management, and hormonal therapy for pituitary tumors may be part of a non-surgical approach.
Surgical considerations
Surgical options may include craniotomy for tumor resection, transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors, VP shunt placement for hydrocephalus, microvascular decompression, and Chiari decompression.
A weakened area of a blood vessel wall that bulges outward and may be at risk for rupture.
Brainstem
The lower part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord and helps control vital functions.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Clear fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord.
Chiari malformation
Downward displacement of part of the cerebellum through the opening at the base of the skull.
Craniotomy
Surgical opening of the skull, usually with replacement of the bone flap at the end of the operation.
Hydrocephalus
Abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain ventricles.
Pituitary gland
A hormone-producing gland at the base of the brain.
Seizure
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes a change in movement, sensation, awareness, or behavior.
Peripheral
Hand / Wrist
Hand pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness from carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, or other peripheral nerve compression
When to seek urgent evaluation
Sudden inability to grip or use the hand
Severe numbness affecting all or most fingers
Rapidly worsening hand weakness
Persistent night pain with numbness and weakness
Seek urgent evaluation for severe hand weakness, loss of pinch or grip strength, persistent numbness affecting multiple fingers, or rapidly worsening hand function.
Common symptoms in this category
Select any that apply — a summary will appear at the bottom of this page.
Commonly evaluated conditions
These conditions may be associated with the symptoms above. This is educational and does not imply a diagnosis.
Surgical correction and stabilization for selected complex spinal deformity cases.
Common evaluation
Evaluation may include upper extremity nerve conduction studies and EMG, wrist X-rays, ultrasound for tendon or nerve changes, and physical examination with provocative tests such as Tinel and Phalen.
Conservative treatment options
Conservative treatment may include wrist splinting, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications, ergonomic optimization, hand therapy, and corticosteroid injection for inflammatory conditions.
Surgical considerations
Surgical options may include carpal tunnel release, cubital tunnel release, ulnar nerve transposition, or decompression procedures for other entrapment syndromes depending on the location and diagnosis.
A major arm nerve traveling near the elbow and into the hand.
Electromyography (EMG)
A test that measures muscle and nerve electrical activity.
Thoracic
Thoracic / Mid-Back
Mid-back pain, thoracic disc disease, or thoracic myelopathy symptoms
When to seek urgent evaluation
Progressive leg weakness from a thoracic level
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Severe acute mid-back pain after trauma
Rapidly progressive gait disturbance
Seek urgent evaluation for progressive leg weakness, new bowel or bladder changes, rapidly worsening gait disturbance, or severe sudden mid-back pain after trauma.
Common symptoms in this category
Select any that apply — a summary will appear at the bottom of this page.
Commonly evaluated conditions
These conditions may be associated with the symptoms above. This is educational and does not imply a diagnosis.
Surgical correction and stabilization for selected complex spinal deformity cases.
Common evaluation
MRI of the thoracic spine, CT myelography if MRI is limited, standing thoracic X-rays to assess deformity or fracture, and neurological examination.
Conservative treatment options
Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, and bracing for selected fractures. Vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty) may be appropriate for compression fractures.
Surgical considerations
Surgical options may include thoracic discectomy, decompression for stenosis, kyphoplasty for compression fractures, or fixation for instability.
A cushion between spinal vertebrae, made of a tough outer ring and softer center.
Disc degeneration
Age-related or wear-related changes in a spinal disc that may contribute to pain or nerve compression.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Clear fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord.
This navigator is educational and does not diagnose symptoms or recommend treatment. Symptom information on this page may be associated with many conditions — only a qualified physician can evaluate, diagnose, and recommend treatment for an individual patient.
Appointment Preparation Summary
Mark Hornyak, MD · Board Certified Neurosurgeon · Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
This summary is educational and does not constitute a diagnosis or medical advice.
