Lumbar Radiculopathy is a condition where nerve roots in the lower spine are compressed or irritated, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness.
Causes
- Disc herniation: When the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer layer.
- Bone spurs: Bony growths that can develop on the vertebrae.
- Spinal stenosis: The narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the nerves.
- Degenerative disc disease: The natural breakdown of the spinal discs over time.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
- Symptoms: Low back pain, sciatica, numbness, weakness, or loss of motor function in the legs.
- Diagnosis: A physical examination, patient history, and advanced imaging tests like MRI or CT scans.
Treatment and Goals
- Conservative Treatments: Rest, physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and epidural steroid injections.
- Interventional Treatments: Nerve root blocks, spinal cord stimulation, regenerative treatments, or minimally invasive spinal fusion techniques.
- Goals: To alleviate pain, restore function, and improve the patient’s quality of life.