Radiculopathy — also known as a pinched nerve — occurs when a nerve root in your spine becomes compressed or irritated, causing pain, numbness, or tingling. Your nerve roots are located where your nerves connect to your spinal cord.
UPMC neurology experts provide advanced care for radiculopathy, including physical therapy, medications, and surgery.
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What Is Radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in your spine becomes compressed or irritated, causing pain, numbness, or tingling. Your nerve roots are located where your nerves connect to your spinal cord.
What is the difference between radiculopathy and sciatica?
Radiculopathy and sciatica are both caused by pinched nerves. However, radiculopathy affects your spinal nerve roots and causes back pain. Sciatica affects your sciatic nerves, which run from your lower back down the back of each leg, and cause lower back and leg pain.
What are the types of radiculopathy?
There are three types of radiculopathy, depending on the location of the affected nerve root.
Types include:
- Cervical radiculopathy — Occurs when there is a pinched nerve root in your neck.
- Lumbar radiculopathy — Occurs when there is a pinched nerve root in your lower back (most common).
- Thoracic radiculopathy — Occurs when there is a pinched nerve root in your upper middle back.
How common is radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy is a fairly common condition. Although estimates vary, it affects between 85 to 100 people out of 100,000 per year and becomes increasingly common with age.
What causes radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy — also known as a pinched nerve — occurs when a nerve root in your spine becomes compressed or irritated.
Common causes of nerve root irritation include:
- Bone spurs, which are bony growths on your spine.
- Herniated disc, which occurs when one of the discs that provides cushioning between your spinal bones (vertebrae) moves, bulges, or leaks.
- Injury.
Radiculopathy risk factors
Radiculopathy can occur in anyone at any age, but it is more common in people over age 50.
You may also be at higher risk if you:
- Do heavy manual labor.
- Drive for long distances.
- Have a history of spinal nerve injury.
- Injure your neck or back.
- Operate vibrating equipment.
- Smoke.
Complications of radiculopathy
Left untreated, radiculopathy may cause complications including:
- Chronic pain
- Loss of reflexes
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
How can I prevent radiculopathy?
You may not be able to prevent all causes of radiculopathy, but you may be able to reduce your risk by:
- Getting regular exercise to maintain strength.
- Maintaining good posture.
- Stretching to maintain flexibility.
- Using proper body mechanics when lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy objects.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Radiculopathy?
Symptoms of radiculopathy may make it uncomfortable to sit, stand or move.
Symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
- Pain
- Tingling
Depending on which spinal nerve root is affected, symptoms may appear in different areas of your body.
Radiculopathy symptoms by location may include:
- Cervical radiculopathy — Causes neck pain that may travel to your arms or hands.
- Lumbar radiculopathy — Causes lower back pain that may travel to your legs.
- Thoracic radiculopathy — Causes mid-back pain that may travel to your chest.
When should I see a doctor about my radiculopathy symptoms?
If you have symptoms of radiculopathy, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Getting early treatment may reduce your risk of complications.
Radiculopathy symptoms can sometimes be similar to serious conditions, such as heart attack or stroke. If symptoms are severe or you aren’t sure what is causing them, dial 911 or ask someone to drive you to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
How Do You Diagnose Radiculopathy?
To diagnose radiculopathy, your doctor will perform physical and neurological examinations and review your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may also order tests to confirm your diagnosis or rule out other problems.
What to expect during your visit
During your visit, your doctor will:
- Ask you about your symptoms.
- Order tests.
- Perform a physical and neurological exam.
- Review your medical history.
Tests to diagnose radiculopathy
Your doctor may order tests to gather information or rule out other conditions, including:
- CT scan — Creates images of bones, organs, and tissues inside your body.
- Electromyography (EMG) — Sometimes called an electromyogram, an EMG allows a doctor to record and study the electrical activity of your muscles.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — Creates images of your brain and spine using contrast dye to look for damaged or abnormal areas.
- Neurological examination — A noninvasive test to check your reflexes, balance, movement, memory, and ability to think.
- X-ray — Uses small doses of radiation to create images of your spine.
Radiculopathy prognosis
Your prognosis after a radiculopathy diagnosis depends on the underlying cause and severity of your condition, as well as how long you’ve had your symptoms. Getting early treatment may improve your prognosis.
How Do You Treat Radiculopathy?
The goals of radiculopathy treatment are to relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. Your doctor will recommend treatment based on the severity and location of your symptoms.
Treatment options may include:
Nonsurgical care for radiculopathy
Your doctor may recommend nonsurgical care, including:
- Heat or ice — May help relieve swelling and stiffness in your back.
- Physical therapy — Stretches and strengthening exercises for your back may help reduce symptoms.
- Posture training — Your doctor or physical therapist can show you how to properly lift, push, and pull objects to reduce strain on your back.
Medicine to treat radiculopathy
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to reduce pain and inflammation, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Your doctor may also prescribe corticosteroids, which can be taken in pill form or given as an injection in your back.
Surgery for radiculopathy
Most cases of radiculopathy get better with nonsurgical care, medication, and rest. However, your provider may recommend surgery if your symptoms:
- Affect your quality of life.
- Are caused by an underlying condition that needs surgical treatment.
- Are severe.
- Don’t respond to nonsurgical care or medications.
Why Choose UPMC for Radiculopathy Care?
When you choose UPMC for radiculopathy care, you will receive:
- Multidisciplinary care — Our team of neurologists will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that reduces your risk of complications.
- Access to advanced clinical trials — Our team participates in national multicenter clinical trials evaluating new treatment options, allowing you to contribute to research into care for spinal nerve conditions.
- Advanced surgical technology and techniques — If you need surgery, our neurosurgeons use the most advanced technology to perform safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedures.
