Overview
Radiculopathy, typically known as a pinched nerve, occurs when injuries to the spine cause a nerve to become compressed, causing pain, numbness, weakness, or difficulty controlling certain muscles.
The pain radiates to other areas of the body that are connected to the compressed nerve. There are three types of radiculopathy: Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar. Learn more in the video below.
Treatment Options
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Epidural
- Chiropractic treatment
- Ice and heat application
- Injectable steroids
- Pain relievers
- Physical therapy
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Bowel or bladder incontinence
- Sharp pain originating in the back and extending to the foot
- Numbness or weakness in legs, arms, and/or foot
- Hypersensitivity
- Pain in the shoulder or arm
- Pain in the neck, back, or head
Diagnostic Tests Include:
- Electromyography (EMG)
- CT scans
- Medical history review
- MRI
- Physical exam
- X-ray
Types
There are three types of radiculopathy: Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar.
Cervical radiculopathy – Compression of a nerve in the neck or upper back. Thoracic radiculopathy – A rare condition with symptoms that can include numbness, tingling, and burning or shooting pain in the rib, side, or abdomen. Lumbar radiculopathy – Better-known as sciatica, symptoms include pain and/or numbness in the lower back, hips, and buttock on one side, and pain and/or numbness in one leg or foot.
Causes
Causes & contributing factors may include:
- Bone spurs
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Diabetes
- Herniated Disc
- Osteoarthritis
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Spinal tumors
- Spondylolisthesis
Facts
- Radiculopathy can develop from an injury or for no apparent reason.
- It is most common among people aged 30 – 50 years old.
