“Radic-” comes from “radix,” which means “root,” and radiculopathy commonly describes damaged or disturbed nerve-function resulting from compressed nerve roots in the vertebrae. This compression can cause pain, numbness, and tingling, which can also radiate to other parts of the body depending on the location of the damaged/compressed nerve.
While radiculopathy can occur anywhere in the spine, it is most common in the neck (cervical radiculopathy) and lower back (lumbar radiculopathy) and less common in the middle back (thoracic radiculopathy). Fortunately, most patients respond well to traditional treatments such as physical therapy, medication, and chiropractic management.
Radiculopathy commonly results from compression/irritation where nerve roots meet the spine, and this compression can be caused by a bulging or herniated disc or bone spur, which can reduce space in the spinal canal, as well as inflammation from trauma in an auto accident. Herniated discs are the most common cause and may compress and pinch nerve roots and the spinal cord itself.
Symptoms may depend on where the compressed nerves are located, usually either the neck or lower back:
Cervical radiculopathy – Compression and other damage to nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae in the neck can cause pain and loss of sensation radiating into the arm and hand, depending on the location of damage. This is because nerves for the arms and hands tend to run through higher areas of the spine, such as near the neck, while more nerves to the legs and buttocks run through lower regions of the spine. Lumbar radiculopathy – Pain resulting from lumbar radiculopathy commonly radiates into the thigh and calf and sometimes into the foot, and the most common symptom is “sciatica,” which generally describes pain which radiates from the lower back and through one or both legs. Lumbar radiculopathy often causes greater pain in the legs than in the lower back, and the affected areas in the leg and foot often depend on which lower back nerves are compressed or damaged.
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