Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy is the scientific name for compression of a spinal
nerve root
leading to symptoms in areas of the body served by that nerve. The most common symptoms are pain,
tingling,
weakness
and
numbness.
The patient may or may not experience any pain in the affected region of
the back.
Radicular pain may be enigmatic in its underlying source process. Nerve conduction testing will sometimes implicate one or more nerve roots in the symptomatic expression, but no structural issues may be present to explain the problem. In other scenarios, a structural abnormality may exist close by, yet does not definitively compress the affected nerve. In many cases, coincidental spinal issues are deemed causative for compression when they are actually innocent.
Types of Nerve Compression
Lumbar radiculopathy is also called
sciatica.
It is a compression of one or more nerve roots in the lower back. Symptoms are experienced in the buttocks, legs, ankles or feet. A physical exam will help the doctor to determine which nerve root is being compressed. Each spinal level has very distinctive symptoms when that particular nerve root is compressed. This is also one of the reasons why sciatica patients might all suffer from completely different pain patterns. Cervical radiculopathy is commonly referred to as a
pinched nerve.
It is compression of one of more of the delicate nerve roots in the neck. Symptoms might be experienced in the neck, face, shoulders, arms or hands. Once again, a physical exam from a qualified neurologist will give some clues as to which level is affected. Thoracic radiculopathy is a relatively uncommon form of
compressed nerve
in the middle back. This region is not designed to bend and flex as much as the lumbar or cervical levels. This keeps the thoracic area less likely to develop many common spinal ailments. In cases of thoracic nerve compression, the patient may experience symptoms in the arms, chest, abdomen or pelvis.
Diagnosis of Nerve Compression
Accurate diagnosis can only be made using advanced imaging techniques, such as
spinal MRI
or CT scan, in combination with specialized neurological evaluations. A physical exam will give the doctor preliminary information, but will not provide the evidence needed to make a diagnosis. Always be sure that you receive a confirmation of the diagnosed problem prior to beginning any treatment. Remember that X-rays can not diagnose a nerve condition or accurately image any of the soft tissues in the body. Remember also that a physical or chiropractic exam alone can not definitively diagnose a pinched nerve, no matter what you may have been told.
Recommendation on Spinal Nerve Pain
So many cases of radicular pain suffer from misdiagnosis. In the majority, the actual nerve tissues involved may have been correctly identified, but the source process enacting symptoms is usually the error. Remember that many of the conditions blamed for causing pinched nerves are normally and/or universally found in the lumbar and cervical regions of the vertebral column. These include disc desiccation, herniations and ruptures, as well as fact joint and general arthritic deterioration. In a large percentage of patients I correspond with, the symptoms experienced are far to diverse to possibly be enacted solely by their diagnosed condition. Remember, each spinal nerve will produce a definitive symptom pattern when compressed. When symptoms reside outside the expected areas, then it is logical that something does not make sense. The more you know, the better off your will be when it comes to seeking care of any neurological back or neck pain issues. Trusting blindly has led many patients down the wrong path, including myself. Remember, I suffered for 18 years until I finally caught on and realized that everything I had been told was mostly untrue.
Radiculopathy to Back Pain
10/24/06 Revised 1/2/12
|
