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Radicular pain is caused by nerve root damage and can include symptoms such as tingling and weakness. A neurologist can diagnose and treat radiculopathy, which can be caused by compression, inflammation, or degenerative diseases. Treatment options include surgery, medication, and nerve stimulation.
Radicular pain is pain associated with damage to one of the nerve roots, the connections between the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system. Injury to a nerve root is known as radiculopathy and is classified based on where it is located. People who experience radicular pain may experience other symptoms as well. A neurologist is usually involved in the diagnosis and treatment of radiculopathy.
Nerve roots are made up of bundles of motor and sensory nerves that emerge from beneath the vertebrae. Each nerve root supplies a section of the peripheral nervous system, covering an area known as a dermatome. Radicular pain can cover an entire dermatome or occur in only one section. Pinpointing the area where the pain is occurring is an important step in diagnosis and treatment, as a neurologist can figure out which nerve root is involved based on the location of the pain.
Some reasons for developing radicular pain include compression or inflammation of a nerve root, degenerative diseases involving the nervous system, and decreased blood flow to the nerves, as seen in some patients with diabetes. In addition to pain, other symptoms may include tingling, numbness, and partial weakness. The patient may also have difficulty controlling muscle movements in the area where the pain is located.
Cervical radiculopathy originates in the nerve roots that emerge from the upper area of the spine, known as the cervical spine. It is also possible to experience thoracic or lumbar radiculopathy. Radicular pain caused by damage to the nerve roots in the lumbar spine is known as sciatica. People who suffer from sciatica often report excruciating pain that travels up the leg, and the pain is usually centered on one side of the body, corresponding to the nerve root involved.
When a patient seeks treatment for radicular pain, the first step is usually a complete physical exam and medical imaging studies to look at the spine. Identifying the location, nature and cause of the damage is an important step in treatment. If the radiculopathy can be treated, such as with compression relief surgery, this will resolve the radicular pain. If the cause cannot be treated, options for the patient may include analgesic medications to manage pain, electrical nerve stimulation to control pain signals, or a neurotomy to sever the nerve if the pain is unbearable and the patient appears to be in good health. candidate for this procedure.
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