Radiculopathy

What is Radiculopathy?

Commonly called a pinched nerve, radiculopathy refers to any disorder or disease that affects the nerve roots of the spine. The pinched nerve can occur at different areas along the spine (cervical, thoracic or lumbar).

Common Causes:

• • Herniated disc
  • Spinal trauma
  • Bone spur
  • Osteoarthritis

Symptoms may include:

• • Pain
  • Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the extremities
  • If the origin is in the neck may have difficulty grasping objects.
  • If the origin is in the lower back may have difficulty walking
  • If the origin is in the mid-back may have burning or shooting pain in the rib, side, or abdomen

When diagnosing radiculopathy, The OPA Spine Team:

• • Obtain a complete medical history
  • Perform a physical examination
  • Order and analyze X-rays or MRI

Athletes who play contact sports, individuals who perform manual labor, and older patients are at an increased risk for developing radiculopathy.

Once an official diagnosis is made, a customized treatment plan is prescribed. Treatment plans decrease your symptoms to help you live an active lifestyle.

Common Treatments:

There is a broad array of nonsurgical and minimally invasive radiculopathy treatment options. Our extensively trained Board Certified Spine Specialists will begin with conservative therapies first, and they will only utilize surgical techniques in the event other methods prove ineffective.

Our skilled team of Spine Specialists will utilize conservative methods which include:

In cases where non-surgical treatments have not resolved the symptoms of radiculopathy, our Board-Certified Orthopedic Spine Team Surgeons may discuss the option of a surgical procedure. Unlike in years past, most spinal procedures can now be performed using a minimally invasive approach that requires only a small incision and significantly expedites recovery time.

While there are several Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery options for radiculopathy, the goal for any of these procedures is to remove the herniated portion of the disc(s), spinal bones or other structures to alleviate pressure on the spinal nerves.