(973) 577-4056

Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy is a condition in which a spinal nerve is compressed or irritated. Radiculopathy can occur in any part of the spine, but most frequently affects the lower back (lumbar radiculopathy) and neck (cervical radiculopathy). Sciatica is another very common form of lumbar radiculopathy.

Radiculopathy is most often caused by a pinched or compressed nerve. Although most commonly caused by aging, radiculopathy is also associated with injury, illness, poor body mechanics and genetic factors. On rare occasion it can be caused by a tumor.

Warning Signs & Symptoms

Pain, weakness, tingling or numbness are common signs of radiculopathy. However, symptoms may vary depending on the location of the compressed nerve.

  • Cervical (upper) spine — Pain, weakness, tingling or numbness in the shoulders, arms and hands
  • Thoracic (middle) spine — Pain or weakness around the torso, arms, chest, kidneys and lungs
  • Lumbar (lower) spine — A very common site of radiating symptoms; they can begin in the lower back and move through the buttocks, legs and toes

Tests to Diagnose Radiculopathy

A medical examination, including health history is performed as a first step in diagnosis. Physicians will obtain x-rays and MRIs as necessary to detect presence of trauma, osteoarthritis, early signs of tumor or infection. CT scans are often performed on patients unable to undergo an MRI.Reasons for this can include pacemakers and other implanted devices.

Treatment Options

Radiculopathy is treated conservatively with anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy or chiropractic treatment. Patients are also advised to avoid strenuous activity that strains the neck or back. If patients don’t improve with conservative treatment, interventional procedures such as epidural steroid injections are recommended. Other interventional techniques are available and occasionally surgery is necessary to remove the compression from the affected nerve.

Prevention

Although usually caused by aging, there are certain lifestyle choices that can decrease the chances of developing radiculopathy, including:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Exercising regularly
  • Not smoking
  • Practicing proper posture and lifting techniques
ACL Repair Abdominal Pain Achalasia Anorectal Disease Arthritis Back and Neck Pain Barrett's Esophagus Bile Duct Disorders Bloody Stool Bunions Bursitis Pain Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cataracts Celiac Disease Chronic Back Pain Chronic Diarrhea Chronic Liver Disease Chronic Pain Cirrhosis Coccygeal (Tailbone) Pain Colon & Colorectal Cancer Colon and Rectal Cancer Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) Constipation Corneal Dystrophy Corneal Infections Crohn's Disease Diabetic Retinopathy Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia) Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Droopy Eyelids (Ocular Plastics) Dry Eye Epidural Steroid Injection Esophageal Cancer Esophageal Varices Esophagitis and Stricture Extremity Pain Facet Pain Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Fecal Incontinence Fibromyalgia Gallstones Gastrointestinal and Gastroenterologist Glaucoma: “The Sneak Thief of Sight” Hammer Toes Heartburn, Acid Reflux & GERD Heel Spurs (Plantar Fasciitis) Helicobacter Pylori (Stomach Infection) Hemorrhoids Hernias Hiatal Hernia Inflammatory Bowel Disease Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Jaundice Joint Injections Joint Pain Keratoconus Liver Cancer Liver Disease Macular Degeneration Malabsorption Morbid Obesity Muscle/Myofascial Pain Nerve Entrapment Pain Ocular Herpes Orthopedic Injuries Osteoporosis Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) Periocular Skin Cancer Posterior Vitreous Detachment Pterygium Radiculopathy Rectal Bleeding Reflux Esophagitis Refractive Errors (Vision Problems) Retinal Detachment Rotator Cuff Repair Shingles Silent Reflux (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux) Sinusitis Spine Injury Stomach Problems and Swallowing Problems Stomach Ulcers Strictures Ulcerative Colitis