Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Radiculopathy, also referred to as a “pinched nerve,” is the compression of one or more nerves at theirspinal roots. This disrupts how the nerve normally works, leading to nerve pain, weakness, andparesthesias(altered sensations).Radiculopathy can be diagnosed based on symptoms and imaging tests like a CT scan. The treatment may involve medications,physical therapy, and spinal surgery.This article looks at the causes and symptoms of radiculopathy and what can be done to diagnose and fix pinched nerves in the spine.Peter Dazeley / Photographer’s Choice / Getty ImagesWhat Causes Radiculopathy?Spinal nerve root compression occurs when changes in thespinal cord"pinches" a nerve either suddenly (due to an injury) or progressively (due to wear and tear of the spine). The compression alters the transmission of nerve signals, causing pain, weakness, and abnormal sensations.Causes of a pinched nerve include:Herniated discDegenerative disc diseaseOsteoarthritis(“wear-and-tear arthritis”)Facet joint deteriorationBone spursSpinal stenosisSpinal injuryTumors, both cancerous and non-cancerousCertain infections likeshinglesorLyme diseaseDiabetic neuropathyInjury following a spinal epiduralCompressed spinal nerve roots can occur anywhere from thecervical spinein the neck area to thelumbar spinein the lower back. In between is thethoracic spineof the upper and middle back.Certain lifestyle factors place you at increased risk of radiculopathy, including:ObesitySedentary lifestyleRoutine long-distant drivingPregnancyRoutine heavy liftingSmokingEffects of Uncovertebral Joint HypertrophyWhat Radiculopathy Feels LikeThe main symptoms of radiculopathy are radicular pain (nerve pain that can radiate to other parts of the body), muscle weakness, andparesthesia(numbness, burning, tingling, or pins-and-needles sensations).Symptoms of radiculopathy vary based on which part of the spine is affected:Cervical radiculopathycan cause pain, weakness, and/or paresthesia in the shoulder or arm.Thoracic radiculopathycan cause pain starting in the middle back that travels around to the chest. This type of radiculopathy is rare.Lumbar radiculopathycan cause pain, weakness, and/or paresthesia that starts in the lower back and radiates through the buttock and down the back of the leg. This type of radiculopathy is known assciatica.How Is Radiculopathy Diagnosed?The diagnosis of radiculopathy involves a review of your medical history, a neurological exam, and imaging tests to help locate the area of compression.Aneurological examis a series of in-office tests that, for the purpose of radiculopathy, aims to identify abnormal sensations and reflexes and to check for a loss of mobility or motor skills.Imaging tests commonly used for radiculopathy include:SpinalX-rayComputed tomography (CT): A technology that composites multiple X-rays for a more detailed, three-dimensional imageMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A non-radioactive imaging study that is especially good at detecting soft tissue injuries like a herniated discIn addition, anerve conduction study with electromyography (NCS/EMG)can determine if the cause of your symptoms is neurological or muscular.Can Radiculopathy Be Treated?Typically, radiculopathy is treated with conservative therapies such as over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and rest. It is only when these options fail that more aggressive treatments are considered.Non-Surgical OptionsSome cases of radiculopathy respond well to OTCnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen). Severe cases may require a short course of a prescription corticosteroid (steroid) drug like prednisone.These drug treatments may be combined with:Immobilization of the spinewith a neck brace or back braceIce applicationsperformed for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day to reduce painCortisone injectionsto provide longer-lasting relief from severe back painPhysical therapyto strengthen and stabilize your core muscleSurgical OptionsIf conservative therapies fail to relieve pain after six to 12 weeks, you may need surgery. The choice of procedure will largely depend on the type and location of the spinal nerve root compression.Examples include:Discectomy: The most common treatment for a herniated disc involves the surgical removal of the herniated (bulging) disc.Discectomy with fusion: The fusion of adjacent spinal bones may help stabilize the spinal column after a discectomy. This procedure may require a bone graft.Disc replacement: This relatively new surgical technique replaces a damaged disc with an artificial one.Posterior cervicallaminoforaminotomy: This operation is done from the back of the neck to relieve pressure on one or more cervical spinal nerves.SummaryRadiculopathy is a pinched spinal root nerve. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and abnormal sensations like burning or numbness. The location of the symptoms can vary based on which part of the spine is affected.A herniated disc, osteoarthritis, and bone spurs are just a few of the possible causes of radiculopathy. Treatment options include rest, spinal immobilization, OTC or prescription painkillers, physical therapy, cortisone shots, and possibly surgery.
Radiculopathy, also referred to as a “pinched nerve,” is the compression of one or more nerves at theirspinal roots. This disrupts how the nerve normally works, leading to nerve pain, weakness, andparesthesias(altered sensations).
Radiculopathy can be diagnosed based on symptoms and imaging tests like a CT scan. The treatment may involve medications,physical therapy, and spinal surgery.
This article looks at the causes and symptoms of radiculopathy and what can be done to diagnose and fix pinched nerves in the spine.
Peter Dazeley / Photographer’s Choice / Getty Images
What Causes Radiculopathy?
Spinal nerve root compression occurs when changes in thespinal cord"pinches" a nerve either suddenly (due to an injury) or progressively (due to wear and tear of the spine). The compression alters the transmission of nerve signals, causing pain, weakness, and abnormal sensations.
Causes of a pinched nerve include:
Compressed spinal nerve roots can occur anywhere from thecervical spinein the neck area to thelumbar spinein the lower back. In between is thethoracic spineof the upper and middle back.
Certain lifestyle factors place you at increased risk of radiculopathy, including:
Effects of Uncovertebral Joint Hypertrophy
What Radiculopathy Feels Like
The main symptoms of radiculopathy are radicular pain (nerve pain that can radiate to other parts of the body), muscle weakness, andparesthesia(numbness, burning, tingling, or pins-and-needles sensations).
Symptoms of radiculopathy vary based on which part of the spine is affected:
How Is Radiculopathy Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of radiculopathy involves a review of your medical history, a neurological exam, and imaging tests to help locate the area of compression.
Aneurological examis a series of in-office tests that, for the purpose of radiculopathy, aims to identify abnormal sensations and reflexes and to check for a loss of mobility or motor skills.
Imaging tests commonly used for radiculopathy include:
In addition, anerve conduction study with electromyography (NCS/EMG)can determine if the cause of your symptoms is neurological or muscular.
Can Radiculopathy Be Treated?
Typically, radiculopathy is treated with conservative therapies such as over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and rest. It is only when these options fail that more aggressive treatments are considered.
Non-Surgical Options
Some cases of radiculopathy respond well to OTCnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen). Severe cases may require a short course of a prescription corticosteroid (steroid) drug like prednisone.
These drug treatments may be combined with:
Surgical Options
If conservative therapies fail to relieve pain after six to 12 weeks, you may need surgery. The choice of procedure will largely depend on the type and location of the spinal nerve root compression.
Examples include:
Summary
Radiculopathy is a pinched spinal root nerve. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and abnormal sensations like burning or numbness. The location of the symptoms can vary based on which part of the spine is affected.
A herniated disc, osteoarthritis, and bone spurs are just a few of the possible causes of radiculopathy. Treatment options include rest, spinal immobilization, OTC or prescription painkillers, physical therapy, cortisone shots, and possibly surgery.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Cervical radiculopathy.Additional ReadingAAOS. Cervical Radiculopathy: Surgical Treatment Options. AAOS website.AAOS. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve). AAOS website.Canale, S., Beaty, J. Cervical Disc Disease. Canale and Beaty: Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed.Neuroscience Resource Pages. Radiculopathies.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Cervical radiculopathy.Additional ReadingAAOS. Cervical Radiculopathy: Surgical Treatment Options. AAOS website.AAOS. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve). AAOS website.Canale, S., Beaty, J. Cervical Disc Disease. Canale and Beaty: Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed.Neuroscience Resource Pages. Radiculopathies.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Cervical radiculopathy.
AAOS. Cervical Radiculopathy: Surgical Treatment Options. AAOS website.AAOS. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve). AAOS website.Canale, S., Beaty, J. Cervical Disc Disease. Canale and Beaty: Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed.Neuroscience Resource Pages. Radiculopathies.
AAOS. Cervical Radiculopathy: Surgical Treatment Options. AAOS website.
AAOS. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve). AAOS website.
Canale, S., Beaty, J. Cervical Disc Disease. Canale and Beaty: Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed.
Neuroscience Resource Pages. Radiculopathies.
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