What causes radiculopathy?
When the nerve roots in your spine become pinched or compressed, you may have radiculopathy. While radiculopathy can occur anywhere along your spine, it’s most common in your lower back (sciatica), as well as your neck. Some of the most common causes and risk factors of radiculopathy include:
- Herniated discs
- Ligament thickening
- Bone spurs
- Tumors or cysts
- Scoliosis
While less common, sometimes radiculopathy stems from spinal infections or cancerous growths. Because your radiating discomfort could be a sign of a serious condition, it’s important to have an evaluation before your symptoms progress.
What are the symptoms of radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy is known for creating debilitating symptoms with the potential to lower your quality of life. Depending on the severity of your case, you may experience any of the following issues:
- Weakness in your extremities
- Sharp pain in your back, neck, or buttocks
- Limited sensations or weakened reflexes
- Tingling or pins and needles down your arms and legs
It’s also common for radiculopathy symptoms to worsen with activity since your compressed nerve can become inflamed. In severe cases, something as simple as a sneeze can lead to serious sharp pain sensations. Some men and women experience hypersensitivity in the affected area as well, making the slightest touch agonizing.
How is radiculopathy treated?
After performing a physical evaluation, discussing your symptoms, and looking at any imaging — like an X-ray or CT scan — your dedicated practitioner at Neuro Pain Consultants designs your personalized radiculopathy treatment plan.
Your radiculopathy care path involves relieving acute pain while minimizing inflammation and preventing chronic pain from coming back. Depending on your needs, your custom radiculopathy treatment package may include:
- Epidural injections
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- Muscular rehabilitation
- Steroid injections
If these conservative types of radiculopathy treatments aren’t providing relief, you may need surgery. Radiculopathy surgery, which is minimally invasive, involves removing a bone spur, treating a herniated disc, fusing vertebrae, or resolving any other underlying issues that are causing your discomfort. With so many treatment options available, the team at Neuro Pain Consultants can help you get relief from radiculopathy.
Schedule your radiculopathy evaluation at Neuro Pain Consultants today. Book online or over the phone.
Individual results may vary.
