Radiculopathy

When it comes to identifying types of pain, there are two types: acute and chronic. Acute pain comes on quickly, can be severe but only lasts a relatively short time. It is typically experienced after an injury or trauma, and self-resolves.

Unlike acute pain, chronic pain is pain that lasts for a long time, and doesn't seem to get better or go away. This time period can vary but is typically defined as a three- to six-month period after symptoms begin.

Chronic pain is often a debilitating symptom of many diseases and is considered a disease itself when it persists beyond recovery from an injury or illness. Chronic pain is a frequent component of many neurological disorders.

Pain warns you that something is not quite right in your body and can cause you to take certain actions and avoid others. Pain can significantly impact your quality of life—by adversely affecting your physical and emotional well-being; upsetting relationships with family, coworkers and friends; and limiting your mobility and participation in daily activities.

Hundreds of pain syndromes or disorders make up the spectrum of pain. One cause of pain is radiculopathy. Commonly known as “pinched nerve,” radiculopathy is a range of symptoms that result from pinched nerve roots in the spinal column. Any part of the back can be affected, with the most common forms being sciatica, cervical radiculopathy and thoracic radiculopathy.

Radiculopathy is a range of symptoms that result from pinched nerve roots in the spinal column. Any part of the back can be affected, with the most common forms being sciatica, cervical radiculopathy and thoracic radiculopathy.

Sciatic/lumbar radiculopathy: Occurring in the lower spine, this condition is the most common type of radiculopathy. Most individuals suffering from this type of pain are diagnosed with sciatic nerve issues.

Cervical radiculopathy: When a nerve found in the neck becomes compressed to an extent where it leaves the spinal cord, creating muscle weakness and shoulder pain, as well as numbness extending the length of the arm all the way to the hand.

Thoracic radiculopathy: This pinched nerve in the upper back can cause numbness across the front of the body, as well as pain and tingling. 

Injuries to spinal discs or vertebrae cause compression to the nearest nerve root, which extends from the spine to the body. Symptoms of radiculopathy include numbness, weakness and pain in any part of the back. Pain is caused by swelling and compression from the injury to vertebra and/or the network of muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are the primary causes of radiculopathy. Other risk factors are accidents and injuries that cause damage and inflammation, and subsequent compression of the nerve root. The following injury types and conditions also increase risk:

• Spinal tumors
• Bone spurs
• Spinal stenosis
• Herniated discs
• Scoliosis
• Diabetes
• Compression fractures
• Spondylolisthesis

With the onset of back pain and other symptoms, see your healthcare provider for a physical exam, imaging tests like X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or an electrical impulse test (electromyography or EMG). 

Depending on which nerve root is compressed, symptoms vary from one incident to the next. Compression of the nerve root in the neck or upper back causes neck, shoulder, arm and upper back pain, as well as muscle weakness. Compression of the nerve root in the mid-back results in heart- and gallbladder-like complications, like numbness and tingling, burning sensation, or shooting pain in the abdomen, side or ribs.

For pain in the low back and hips, nerve roots in the lumbar region are compressed. Symptoms include reflex changes, numbness and/or tingling in the back or leg, sharp pain while sitting or coughing, and weakness and/or sharp pain in the legs.

With the onset of back pain and other symptoms, see your healthcare provider for a physical exam, imaging tests such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or an electrical impulse test (electromyography or EMG).

Most types of radiculopathy are treatable without surgery, though more extreme cases may be the only way to relieve pressure, as in cases of repair of a herniated disc, removing a bone spur, bone fusion or spinal canal space-widening procedure.

For the less severe cases, pain medications may be prescribed, such as gabapentin. Home remedies include over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and pain reducers (ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin), ice and heat, and physical therapy.

Some cases of radiculopathy can heal quickly, especially those cases that can be treated with steroid injections. Minor cases of radiculopathy can be managed with over-the-counter anti inflammatory and pain medications, like ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, as well as application of ice and heat. Physical therapy can also reduce pain.

For more severe cases that require surgery, pain medications will be prescribed to manage pain. Some cases can take months or years to resolve.