Radiculopathy, commonly called a pinched nerve, can cause great discomfort. It can also impact daily activities such as walking, lifting or even sitting for long periods.
Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root — a bundle of nerves that emerge from the spinal cord and travel through the spinal canal — is squeezed, irritated or inflamed. This puts pressure on the spinal nerve roots, which control the body’s movements and sensations.
This condition can occur in the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. Nerve root compression can lead to pain, numbness and/or weakness along the entire path of that nerve root or in parts of the nerve root pathway.
Accessing the variety of specialists needed for spine care can be complicated. The UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center makes it simple by bringing together a team of all the specialists you may need. Within one comprehensive program, you have access to all our specialties: physical medicine and rehabilitation, interventional pain medicine, orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery.
The symptoms of radiculopathy can vary depending on the location of the affected nerve root.
Cervical radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve in the neck. Its symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness in the shoulder, arms and/or hands
- Numbness,tingling and/or a pins-and-needles sensation in the arms and/or fingers
- Pain radiating from the neck into the shoulder, arm and/or fingers
Thoracic radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve in the middle back area. Its symptoms include:
- Pain radiating from the mid-back around the chest
- Numbness or a pins-and-needles feeling around the chest and torso
Certain movements or activities, such as lifting, twisting or sitting for a long time, can make symptoms of both cervical and thoracic radiculopathy worse.
Lumbar radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve in the neck. Its symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness in the thighs, legs and/or feet
- Numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation in the legs or toes
- Pain radiating from the low back into the thighs, legs and/or feet
There are other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to radiculopathy. These include nerve pinching in the arms, wrists or hands, like carpal tunnel syndrome, or in some muscle pain conditions. Some symptoms of neuropathy may be mistaken for radiculopathy. Your team of providers will help to determine the cause of your symptoms when they evaluate you.
Radiculopathy is caused by conditions that put pressure on the nerve roots. This is most often from degenerative changes that occur in the spine, including conditions like degenerative scoliosis.
Other common causes include:
- Degenerative disk disease
- Herniated disks
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Trauma or injury
Your journey to better spine health begins at home. Before you visit UK HealthCare for spine pain, we review your medical records. We may contact you with follow-up questions. We then discuss your case as a team. Based on these conversations, we determine which specialists will best meet your needs.
Next, we schedule your appointment. To provide you with the best care possible, you may need to meet with multiple providers. This helps us meet all your care needs in a timely manner.
During your first visit, we answer questions and provide information to help you better understand your condition. We also work to find out what is causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
In most cases, we start with non-surgical treatment, such as lifestyle changes and physical therapy. Spine issues that don’t improve with this approach may require other treatment, including pain management and surgical intervention.
When coming to your first appointment, plan to do the following:
- Arrive early. You may need to fill out paperwork when you arrive. Getting to your appointment early gives you time to complete paperwork without feeling rushed.
- Bring a current list of medicines or supplements you take. You should also list any surgeries you’ve had, symptoms you’ve experienced and other past health issues.
- Dress comfortably. Working toward a diagnosis takes time. Comfortable clothes help you stay relaxed and attentive throughout your visit. They also make it easier to perform your physical exam.
- Eat and drink as directed. You may need to have imaging or other tests during your first visit. If you need to adjust your eating, drinking or medicines before a test, a team member will call to explain what you need to do leading up to your visit.
- Have your insurance information on hand. UK HealthCare accepts most insurers, and financial assistance is available.
- Bring a family member or friend with you. This person can help take notes and ask questions you may not think of asking.
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