Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy, also known as “Pinched Nerve” is the irritation and inflammation of a “compressed” / damaged nerve root near the vertebrae. A nerve root is significant as it sends signals into the brain to invoke specific sensations within an individual, but when it is compressed, the nerve root becomes damaged.
Thus, the individual will experience pain and/or irregular sensations in specific areas of the upper extremities (arms to hands) or lower extremities (legs to feet) – depending on the location of the compressed nerve. This condition usually affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50.
Causes
The most common cause is a herniated disc in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. This condition involves the disc protruding and pushing against the nerve roots, which causes a nerve to be damaged. Additionally, any spinal change that places considerable amount of pressure upon the nerves can also cause a pinched nerve including degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, obesity and trauma.
Another cause is diabetes which diminishes the blood flow to all areas of the body, including the spinal nerves. The lack of blood flow will elevate the probabilities of nerve damage along with irritation and inflammation. Any form of spine malformations that applies pressure onto the nerve root also plays a factor for Radiculopathy. Such spinal malformations include scoliosis and spinal stenosis.
Symptoms
There are three types of Radiculopathy; all of which are pertaining to specific areas of the spine (neck/upper back, mid back and lower back). The symptoms of this condition depend on which nerves are being affected.
- Radiating pain to the neck, arm, upper back and shoulders
- Headaches
- Aching or disabling pain when sitting, walking, bending, lifting or twisting
- Limited range of motion and stiffness
Thoracic Radiculopathy: (rare)
- Pain and tenderness in the chest, mid back and torso
Lumbar Radiculopathy:
- Radiating pain to the lower back, hips, and legs
- Sciatica; pain from the back, down to the buttocks and into the feet
- Associated muscle weakness, tingling and numbness in the legs
- Limited range of motion and stiffness
Treatment
Treatment generally includes minimally invasive and non-surgical procedures. Spine specialists and orthopedists generally recommend medications to control the pain and other accompanying symptoms. Such medications include muscle relaxants and pain medications.
Other non-surgical procedures include physical therapy and bracing/immobilization to support the spine, decrease pain and overall accelerate the healing process. Epidural Steroid Injections are another minimally invasive option that is recommended for patients.
However, if the above conservative treatments are exhausted and fail to improve the patient’s symptoms, then surgical intervention will be considered. The type of surgery varies accordingly depending on the location of damaged nerve and the severity.
Healthpointe has top-of-the-line physicians and specialists who are trained to provide treatment for orthopedic pain, and the associated symptoms.
Radiculopathy Treatment in Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Los Angeles County:
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Anaheim
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Colton
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Corona
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Garden Grove
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Irwindale
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near La Mirada
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Long Beach
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Los Angeles
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Ontario
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Perris
- Radiculopathy Treatment in and near Temecula
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