Radiculopathy is a pinched spinal nerve root causing pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates into an arm or leg. Learn the causes and minimally invasive treatments.
Radiculopathy is what happens when a spinal nerve root is compressed or irritated, sending pain, numbness, or weakness along the path of that nerve. Minimally invasive treatment can relieve the pressure and calm the symptoms.
Your spinal nerves branch off the spinal cord and travel out through small openings between the vertebrae to reach the rest of your body. When one of those nerve roots is pinched or inflamed, the result is radiculopathy: symptoms that do not stay put but instead radiate outward, often into an arm or a leg. The good news is that most cases improve without surgery, and when treatment is needed, it can usually be done through very small incisions. The key is an accurate diagnosis of which nerve is involved and why.
Because radiculopathy follows the route of a specific nerve, the symptoms tend to travel in a predictable pattern rather than staying in one spot. Common symptoms include:
Radiculopathy is named for the region of the spine where the affected nerve root exits.
When a nerve root in the neck is pinched, symptoms travel into the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers. This is a common cause of arm pain, numbness, and grip weakness that many people do not initially connect to their neck.
When a nerve root in the lower back is affected, symptoms radiate into the buttock, leg, and foot. The most well-known form of lumbar radiculopathy is , where pain follows the sciatic nerve down the back of the leg.
Less common, thoracic radiculopathy affects the middle of the back and can cause a band of pain or numbness that wraps around the chest or torso.
Radiculopathy is a symptom of an underlying problem that is putting pressure on a nerve root. The most common causes include:
Because a can have several different sources, identifying the specific cause is essential to choosing the right treatment.
Diagnosis begins with a conversation about where your symptoms travel and a physical examination that tests your strength, reflexes, and sensation to help pinpoint the involved nerve root. Imaging such as an MRI shows the discs, nerves, and surrounding structures in detail, and in some cases nerve testing is used to confirm the findings.
If you already have an MRI from another provider, our offers a straightforward, no-obligation way to understand what your images show and what your realistic options are.
For most people, radiculopathy improves without surgery. As a general rule, we begin with the least invasive approach that is likely to work. Common include:
Many patients get all the relief they need from these measures alone.
When symptoms do not respond to conservative care, or when there is progressive weakness or numbness, surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve may be recommended. At Total Spine and Orthopedics, these procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, which generally means smaller incisions, less disruption to healthy tissue, and a faster recovery than traditional open surgery. Depending on the cause and location, options may include:
Your surgeon will recommend the approach best matched to your specific diagnosis.
Occasional aches often settle on their own, but these signs are worth having evaluated:
Seek care right away if you experience rapidly worsening weakness, or any loss of bladder or bowel control, which can signal a medical emergency.