Pinched Nerve in The Spine: Radiculopathy - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

The spine consists of several individual bones known as vertebrae. These are interconnected together to form the spine. The spinal cord passes through a central canal in these vertebrae. From the spinal cord, the splitting of nerve roots occurs.

These roots travel between the bones of the spinal and different parts of the body. When the nerve root that leaves the spinal cord to other body parts becomes pinched, irritated, or damaged, it results in a medical condition known as radiculopathy. This condition is also known as a pinched nerve.

Types of Radiculopathy

Depending on where the condition happens in the spine, there are three types of radiculopathy. The symptoms of these types may range from mild to severe in individuals.

Cervical radiculopathy

  • Occurs due to pressure and compression of the nerve roots in the neck.

  • This portion of the spinal cord mainly affects the hands, arms, fingers, and shoulders.

  • Symptoms are usually visible in the hands and arms, which may include weakness or loss of sensation.

Lumbar radiculopathy

  • Occurs due to pressure and compression of the nerve roots in the lower back.

  • It may lead to sciatica, a condition that involves radiating pain in the sciatic nerve.

Thoracic radiculopathy

  • Occurs due to pressure and compression of the nerve roots in the upper back.

  • Chest pain is common in this condition.

  • There is a feeling of numbness and pain that moves to the front of the body in patients.

Causes of Radiculopathy and Risk Factors

Here are some of the commonly known causes of radiculopathy and the risk factors associated with it.

  • Change in size or shift in position of the tissues that surround the nerve root.

  • Herniated discs, also known as slip discs, are caused by to rupture of soft pads between spinal bones.

  • Bone spurs, bony outgrowths or projections resulting in constriction of the spinal passage. a condition in which the spaces within the spine get narrow.

  • Spondylosis is a wear and tear of the spinal disc with age.

  • Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra slips out of its normal position onto the bone below it.

  • Spinal stenosis, narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back.

  • Sciatica is pain travelling along with the sciatic nerve moving to the back of the thigh into the legs.

  • Thickening of spinal ligaments.

  • Spinal infections

  • Regular improper movements

  • Cancerous or non-cancerous growth in the spine

Radiculopathy Diagnosis

  • The diagnosis of radiculopathy begins with the patient giving a brief of their medical history to the doctor.

  • The doctor will ask questions about the type of symptoms, location of the pain, for how long has the pain been there, and also any other medical conditions which the patient is suffering from.

  • Once the medical history is known, the physician conducts a physical examination and tests.

  • This is to check the patient's muscular strength, reflexes, sensation, and also the possibility of any abnormalities.

  • Physical examination allows the medical practitioner to know the severity of the radiculopathy condition.

  • It also gives an idea about the location of the nerve root that is affected.

  • In some cases, radiculopathy diagnosis may require the use of advanced imaging techniques such as CT scan or MRI.

  • These tests aid in improving the visualization of the area where the problem lies.

  • In some cases, an expert like Dr Khanna orthopedic surgeon may also conduct a study on nerve conduction or Electromyography (EMG).

  • These tests help to know whether there is damage to the nerve or the problem is muscular.

Symptoms of Radiculopathy

The pinched nerve roots quickly become inflamed, which may result in the following symptoms:

  • Shooting pain in the back, legs, arms, and shoulders

  • Feeling of numbness and tingling sensation in the arms and legs.

  • Localized neck and back pain

  • Sharp pain when sitting idle or coughing

  • Sharp pain with movement

  • Hypersensitivity

  • Loss of sensation

  • Radiating pain in the shoulders

  • Skin numbness

  • Muscular weakness

  • Loss of reflexes

  • Sciatica

Non-surgical treatment for Radiculopathy

Conservative treatment is usually recommended before surgery. Here are some of the non-surgical treatment options for radiculopathy.

  • Physical therapy to strengthen the areas of pain.

  • Limitation or complete elimination of activities that cause radiculopathy pain and stains of the back and neck.

  • Immobilizing the affected area with

  • Anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, oral corticosteroids, prescription opioids    

  • Epidural steroid injections, nerve root injections, transforaminal injections

  • Weight loss to minimize pressure on the affected area

Radiculopathy surgery

  • If the non-surgical treatment for radiculopathy fails and the symptoms and pain continue to persist, surgery may be the last option.

  • The objective of the surgery is to remove the compression of the affected nerve that causes pain and numbness.

  • Depending on the cause of radiculopathy,  Dr Khanna orthopaedic surgeon may follow either discectomy or laminectomy as the surgical procedure.  

Possible Complications in Radiculopathy Surgery

  • Every surgery, including the one of radiculopathy, is associated with a certain element of risk.

  • The possible complications in radiculopathy may vary depending on the approach that is being used, long-term changes, and healing.

  • Hence, it is advisable to consult a professional and a certified expert like Dr. Khanna orthopaedic surgeon.

  • Experts like Dr. Khanna help patients choose the best possible treatment options and minimize the complications that may occur during surgery.

Spine Care Specialists - A one-stop destination for Radiculopathy Treatment

The Spine Care Specialists Clinic offers a comprehensive range of radiculopathy treatment options. Through effective treatment, patients with radiculopathy can get pain relief and improved quality of life.

At Spine Care Specialists, under the expertise and guidance of Dr. Khanna orthopaedic surgeon, innovative radiculopathy treatment options are offered. The clinic also specializes in providing non-surgical treatment for radiculopathy.

Are you facing a problem with a pinched nerve or experiencing sharp back pain? Instant and effective relief is possible with radiculopathy treatment at the Spine Care Specialists clinic.

Dr.Khanna orthopaedic surgeon is an expert in radiculopathy diagnosis and treatment of this condition that may sometimes get severe. The entire team at this clinic will first assess the symptoms and severity of your radiculopathy condition and create an individualized recovery plan for you.

Spine Care SpecialistsNitin Khanna MD: Spine Care Specialist