Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 G54, M54.1
ICD-9 723.4, 724.4, 729.2
DiseasesDB 29522
MeSH D011843

Radiculopathy is not a specific condition, but rather a description of a problem in which one or more nerves are affected and do not work properly (a neuropathy). The emphasis is on the nerve root (Radix = "root"). This can result in pain (radicular pain), weakness, numbness, or difficulty controlling specific muscles.

In a radiculopathy, the problem is at or near the root of the nerve, along the spine. However, the pain or other symptoms may manifest in an extremity through a process called referred pain. For example, a nerve root impingement in the neck can produce pain and weakness in the forearm. Likewise, an impingement in the lower back or lumbar-sacral spine can be manifested with symptoms in the foot. Polyradiculopathy refers to the condition where more than one spinal nerve root is affected.

Contents

Causes

The nerve(s) may be inflamed, pinched (compressed), or working ineffectively due to a lack of blood flow. The nerve could be affected by a progressive disease that is destroying it in part or in whole. The "straight leg raise test" can help to diagnose a lumbar or sacral nerve root radiculopathy.

Types

Forms of radiculopathy and related conditions:

Treatment

Ideally, effective treatment aims to resolve the underlying cause and restores the nerve root to normal function. Common mainstream treatment approaches include physical therapy, medication, and relaxation. A comprehensive systematic review found moderate quality evidence that spinal manipulation is effective for the treatment of acute lumbar radiculopathy.[1] Only low level evidence was found to support spinal manipulation for the treatment of chronic lumbar and cervical spine-related radiculopathies, and no evidence was found to exist for treatment of thoracic radiculopathy.

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ Leininger B, Bronfort G, Evans R, Reiter T (2011). "Spinal manipulation or mobilization for radiculopathy: a systematic review". Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 22 (1): 105–125. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2010.11.002. PMID 21292148. 
v · d · eDorsopathies / spinal disease (M40–M54, 720–724, 737)
Deforming dorsopathies
Other
Spondylopathy
inflammatory: Spondylitis (Ankylosing spondylitis) · Sacroiliitis · Discitis · Spondylodiscitis · Pott disease
Back pain
Intervertebral disc disorder

M: JNT

anat(h/c, u, t, l)/phys

noco(arth/defr/back/soft)/cong, sysi/epon, injr

proc, drug(M01C, M4)
v · d · eNervous system pathology, PNS, somatic (G50–G64, 350–357)
 Nerve, nerve root, plexus
Radiculopathy,
plexopathy
Lower limb
General
 Polyneuropathies/Polyradiculoneuropathy
Other

M: PNS

anat(h/r/t/c/b/l/s/a)/phys(r)/devp/prot/nttr/nttm/ntrp

noco/auto/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr

proc, drug(N1B)



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Look at other dictionaries:

  • radiculopathy — noun Any disease of the spinal nerve roots and spinal nerves …   Wiktionary

  • radiculopathy — Disorder of the spinal nerve roots. SYN: radiculitis. [radiculo + G. pathos, suffering] diabetic thoracic r. a type of diabetic neuropathy that affects primarily elderly patients with diabetes mellitus; clinically characterized by t …   Medical dictionary

  • radiculopathy — /rədɪkjəˈlɒpəθi/ (say ruhdikjuh lopuhthee) noun nerve root dysfunction, often caused by chronic pressure as with the discs of the spine, causing radiating muscular tingling, numbness and pain. {radicul(ar) + o + pathy} …  

  • thoracoabdominal radiculopathy — radiculopathy involving the thoracic and lumbar nerve roots, the most common form of diabetic radiculopathy; symptoms are pain and dysesthesias in the chest and abdomen …   Medical dictionary

  • cervical radiculopathy — radiculopathy of cervical nerve roots, often with neck or shoulder pain; compression of nerve roots is a common cause in this area …   Medical dictionary

  • diabetic radiculopathy — radiculopathy, most commonly involving the thoracic and upper lumbar roots, that accompanies diabetes mellitus; it is often associated with significant weight loss …   Medical dictionary

  • thoracic radiculopathy — a rare type of radiculopathy involving the thoracic nerve roots, with pain in a bandlike distribution around the chest …   Medical dictionary

  • lumbar radiculopathy — any disease of lumbar nerve roots, such as from disk herniation or compression by a tumor or bony spur, with lower back pain and often paresthesias. One type is sciatica …   Medical dictionary

  • lumbosacral radiculopathy — disease of nerve roots of the lumbar and sacral segments of the spinal cord …   Medical dictionary

  • spondylotic caudal radiculopathy — compression of the cauda equina due to encroachment upon a congenitally small spinal canal by spondylosis, resulting in pseudoclaudication or more profound neural disorders of the lower limbs …   Medical dictionary

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