All About Radiculopathy

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Radiculopathy is the scientific term given to the condition of the spine with damaged discs or damaged nerve roots. This damage can occur anywhere along the spine. If the site of damage is the neck, it is called 'cervical radiculopathy'. And, if the damage occurs in the lower back, the condition is termed as 'lumbar radiculopathy'. When an unwanted or extra pressure is exerted on the spine, it damages the nerve roots thus causing pain. This pressure is generally an effect of herniated disc. There can be other reasons like bone spurs and tumors or vasculitis which could be the reason for unwanted pressure on the spine in a few cases.

The symptoms of radicuopathy are easily detectable. The person suffering will experience neck or shoulder pain, sharp pain in the head, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the lower back or down in the legs. Well, there are a few other symptoms too. A person may feel stiffness in the muscles, limited motion of the limbs and weak reflexes.

You can be at the risk of getting radiculopathy if you stay sedentary for a longtime or if you drive a lot. Sitting in one place for long compresses the discs of your spine causing herniation. Also, prolonged cough and pregnancy are sighted as risk factors to develop radiculopathy. Other than these, the individuals who smoke are also likely to develop this problem.

If you doubt that you have symptoms of radiculopathy, the best way is to get a professional diagnosis done. Each nerve that starts from the spine has its own function specific to a particular area. The diagnosis has to be done in way that the root cause of the problem is detected. There can be various reasons for back aches, not necessarily all are radiculopathy.

So, during the examination the health provider will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and also they would conduct tests like the MRI or other neurological test to confirm the problem. Without a proper confirmation, do not take any treatment.

When it comes to the treatment of radiculopathy, the simplest are the prescribed medications and physical therapy. You must avoid activities that give rise to pain or immobilization. Traction during physical therapy is helpful in releasing pain. You must remember that the safest way to get respite from pain is rest. Try to immobilize the area when in acute pain. Injections also work well in many cases.
However, some cases have to be dealt with surgery; although surgery should be your last option. Before resorting to surgery you must discuss all the possible options with your health service provider.

This is a brief about what radiculopathy is and it would be sufficient to provide you a ground for comparison with any kind of back problem you are suffering.