Radiculopathy: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Radiculopathy | |||
| image = [[File:Cervical_vertebrae_lateral.png|left|thumb|Lateral view of cervical vertebrae]] | |||
| caption = Lateral view of cervical vertebrae, often involved in cervical radiculopathy | |||
| field = [[Neurology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Pain]], [[numbness]], [[tingling]], [[muscle weakness]] | |||
| complications = [[Chronic pain]], [[muscle atrophy]] | |||
| onset = Typically [[middle age]] | |||
| duration = Varies, can be [[chronic]] | |||
| causes = [[Herniated disc]], [[spinal stenosis]], [[degenerative disc disease]] | |||
| risks = [[Age]], [[occupational hazards]], [[trauma]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[MRI]], [[CT scan]], [[nerve conduction study]] | |||
| differential = [[Peripheral neuropathy]], [[myelopathy]], [[plexopathy]] | |||
| treatment = [[Physical therapy]], [[medications]], [[surgery]] | |||
| medication = [[NSAIDs]], [[corticosteroids]], [[muscle relaxants]] | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
}} | |||
[[Radiculopathy]] is a condition caused by compression, inflammation, or injury to a spinal nerve root. This pressure or damage can cause neurological symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness radiating from the affected nerve. | [[Radiculopathy]] is a condition caused by compression, inflammation, or injury to a spinal nerve root. This pressure or damage can cause neurological symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness radiating from the affected nerve. | ||
[[File:CT of spondylosis causing radiculopathy.png|thumb|CT of spondylosis causing radiculopathy]] | [[File:CT of spondylosis causing radiculopathy.png|left|thumb|CT of spondylosis causing radiculopathy]] | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
* Radiculopathy can be caused by several conditions, including: | * Radiculopathy can be caused by several conditions, including: | ||
| Line 7: | Line 25: | ||
* Bone spurs: These are bony projections that form along the edges of bones and can compress spinal nerves. | * Bone spurs: These are bony projections that form along the edges of bones and can compress spinal nerves. | ||
* [[Injury]]: Any injury that impacts the spine can potentially cause radiculopathy. | * [[Injury]]: Any injury that impacts the spine can potentially cause radiculopathy. | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
Symptoms of radiculopathy can vary based on the location of the affected nerve. However, common symptoms can include pain that radiates from the neck or back into the arms or legs, numbness or decreased sensation in the area served by the affected nerves, and muscle weakness. | Symptoms of radiculopathy can vary based on the location of the affected nerve. However, common symptoms can include pain that radiates from the neck or back into the arms or legs, numbness or decreased sensation in the area served by the affected nerves, and muscle weakness. | ||
==Diagnosis and Treatment== | ==Diagnosis and Treatment== | ||
Radiculopathy is typically diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination and imaging studies such as X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Treatment often involves conservative measures, such as physical therapy, pain-relieving medications, and corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, or if conservative treatments are not effective, surgery may be required. | Radiculopathy is typically diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination and imaging studies such as X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Treatment often involves conservative measures, such as physical therapy, pain-relieving medications, and corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, or if conservative treatments are not effective, surgery may be required. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Spinal disc herniation]] | * [[Spinal disc herniation]] | ||
* [[Spinal stenosis]] | * [[Spinal stenosis]] | ||
* [[Physical Therapy]] | * [[Physical Therapy]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* "Radiculopathy". Mayo Clinic. | * "Radiculopathy". Mayo Clinic. | ||
* "Radiculopathy". Johns Hopkins Medicine. | * "Radiculopathy". Johns Hopkins Medicine. | ||
* "Radiculopathy". Cleveland Clinic. | * "Radiculopathy". Cleveland Clinic. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
[[Radiculopathy - MedlinePlus]] | [[Radiculopathy - MedlinePlus]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:09, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Radiculopathy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness |
| Complications | Chronic pain, muscle atrophy |
| Onset | Typically middle age |
| Duration | Varies, can be chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease |
| Risks | Age, occupational hazards, trauma |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, MRI, CT scan, nerve conduction study |
| Differential diagnosis | Peripheral neuropathy, myelopathy, plexopathy |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Physical therapy, medications, surgery |
| Medication | NSAIDs, corticosteroids, muscle relaxants |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | N/A |
Radiculopathy is a condition caused by compression, inflammation, or injury to a spinal nerve root. This pressure or damage can cause neurological symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness radiating from the affected nerve.
Causes[edit]
- Radiculopathy can be caused by several conditions, including:
- Spinal disc herniation: This occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing.
- Spinal stenosis: This is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine.
- Bone spurs: These are bony projections that form along the edges of bones and can compress spinal nerves.
- Injury: Any injury that impacts the spine can potentially cause radiculopathy.
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms of radiculopathy can vary based on the location of the affected nerve. However, common symptoms can include pain that radiates from the neck or back into the arms or legs, numbness or decreased sensation in the area served by the affected nerves, and muscle weakness.
Diagnosis and Treatment[edit]
Radiculopathy is typically diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination and imaging studies such as X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Treatment often involves conservative measures, such as physical therapy, pain-relieving medications, and corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, or if conservative treatments are not effective, surgery may be required.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
- "Radiculopathy". Mayo Clinic.
- "Radiculopathy". Johns Hopkins Medicine.
- "Radiculopathy". Cleveland Clinic.
External Links[edit]
Radiculopathy - MedlinePlus Radiculopathy - American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
