Radiculopathy is a condition caused by nerve root damage in the spine, with symptoms including pain, numbness, and weakness. Treatment options include rest, medication, physical therapy, and surgery, depending on the cause and severity of the condition.
“Radiculopathy” is a term used to describe conditions that have caused damage to the nerve roots that connect the spine to the rest of the nervous system. A well-known form of radiculopathy is sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy. People with radiculopathy can experience a range of symptoms, and the condition can be both difficult and frustrating to treat. In some cases, a patient may work with several healthcare professionals to get the best possible treatment and to ensure that all treatment options are considered.
Spinal nerve roots are bundles of nerves that send messages to and from the central nervous system. Sensory nerves direct signals into the central nervous system, while motor nerves carry messages from the central nervous system. These nerves meet in small bundles in the spine; the bundles look like roots, which explains their name. “Radiculopathy” comes from the Latin word for root, radix, combined with the Greek suffix -patia which means “disease or suffering”.
There are a wide variety of causes for radiculopathy. Elderly or immunocompromised people are often at risk, as their spinal nerves may be more susceptible to damage. The condition can also be caused by bacterial disease or infection and spinal injuries, particularly injuries that compress the vertebrae. Radiculopathy is characterized by pain, numbness, and weakness radiating from the spine. In some cases, the nervous system also gets confused and starts sending signals without any stimulus.
When radiculopathy is diagnosed, doctors usually determine whether it is cervical, located in the neck, thoracic, located in the middle back, or lumbar, located in the lower back. Some doctors also target specific vertebrae, which is why someone could be said to have “C7 radiculopathy.” The doctor also typically tries to identify the cause, as the course of treatment varies depending on what caused the condition in the first place. For example, a bacterial infection might be treated with antibiotics, while severe trauma might require surgery to relieve pressure on spinal nerves. Sometimes, the cause cannot be identified, in which case the patient’s condition is termed idiopathic radiculopathy.
Rest, gentle exercise, and medications are all used to treat radiculopathy. Physical therapy is often an important part of treatment, along with supportive devices and measures designed to reduce stress and strain on the spine. In some cases, surgery may be needed to address the cause or relieve pain; radiculopathy can be excruciating for the patient, requiring an assortment of measures to make her life bearable.
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