Article reviewed and approved by Dr. Ibtissama Boukas, physician specializing in family medicine
La radiculopathy is one of neurological diseases the most frequently encountered. Although it often goes unnoticed, it can lead to serious consequences when the nerve compression is too important. Have you been diagnosed with radiculopathy and want to know more about this disease? We tell you everything in this article: definition, causes, symptoms and treatments.
What is radiculopathy?
The term radiculopathy comes from "radiculo" and the word "pathy". These words mean “root” and “affection” respectively. It is a pathological condition of a nerve root. We also talk about root pain or radiculopathy.
It is due to a compression of a spinal nerve. The cause of the actual compression is highly variable. The pain is felt along the entire path of the affected nerve. It can extend to the limbs, lower or upper. Depending on the location of the compressed nerve, there are two main forms of radiculopathy: cervical radiculopathy and lumbar radiculopathy.
Cervical radiculopathy
Anatomically, the cervical spine has seven vertebrae. We speak of cervical radiculopathy when the compression is located on these vertebrae. Patients who suffer from cervical radiculopathy are divided into two large groups. There are young people and old people. We identify the root affected by the disorder according to the path of the pain.
For the cervical area, the route can pass through three places:
- shoulders ;
- arms ;
- hands.
Lumbar radiculopathy
Le Lumbar spine has five vertebrae. The lumbar radiculopathy is at these levels. The involved nerve root is also identifiable according to the course of the nerve.
We can then find pain in:
- thighs ;
- legs ;
- Or feet.
What causes radiculopathy?
We can characterize the causes of radiculopathy depending on the age of the patient. For those whose age is less than 50 years, the cause found is mainly the herniated disc. The latter is formed at the level of a intervertebral disc which compresses the nearby nerve root. Each disc is indeed surrounded by an envelope (called fibrous annulus). When the latter breaks, the nucleus comes out and causes a hernia. This is then a mechanical compression of the nerve root.
However, an immune or inflammatory cause may accompany a herniated disc.
For older people, the cause may be:
- thickening of certain ligaments;
- narrowing of intervertebral foramina;
- inflammatory disorders;
- opportunities, cancers ;
- metabolic disorders.
Over time, the intervertebral discs age through wear and tear. Thus, osteoarthritis (cervical ou lumbar) is a common cause of radiculopathy in older individuals.
In addition, the growth of a tumor can also be the cause of radicular pain.
Le narrow lumbar canal is also a cause of radiculopathy. It is a narrowing of the channel in which the nerve roots pass at the level of the lumbar region. This retreatment is at the origin of an irritation of the nerve which explains the pains. We also speak of lumbar pinching.
How to recognize radiculopathy? (Symptoms)
Pain is the master symptom found in the case of radiculopathy. However, other signs may appear. We mainly observe disturbances of sensitivity.
It can be paresthesias which are manifested by:
- numbness of the limbs for example (arms, hands, legs, feet);
- tingling;
- tingling.
In the most advanced cases, the patient may lose the motor skills of his limbs.
Types of most common pain in radiculopathy are a pain sciatica and cruralgia.
La sciatic pain corresponds to the compression of the sciatic nerve. You should know that this nerve has several nerve roots. The root most affected is the one located between L4 (fourth lumbar vertebra) and L5 (fifth lumbar vertebra).
Nerve compression can also affect the root between L5 and S1 (S1: first sacral vertebra). The latter is located just below the back. The route of this sciatic nerve begins on the buttock, crosses the leg and ends at the level of the feet.
About the cruralgia, the compressed nerve is the crural nerve. It is located between L3 (third lumbar vertebra) and L4. One of the crural nerve roots is also located between L4 and L5. If this nerve is affected, the pain begins on the front of the thigh. It then passes over the groin and ends at the knees.
It should be noted that the root pain are amplified by:
- cough ;
- sneezing;
- and thrust forces.
How is radiculopathy diagnosed?
The characteristics of the pain help guide the diagnosis in favor of a radiculopathy. However, it is mainly radiological examinations that confirm this. Thus, the doctor will prescribe you a scanner or an IRM (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). These examinations will focus on the painful areas. Apart from neuroimaging, doctors can also use other so-called electrophysiological (EMG) examinations.
If these examinations do not reveal the cause of the radiculopathy, a biological analysis may be carried out. This is the cytological and bacteriological analysis of spinal fluid. It is the fluid inside the spine. This will include looking for signs of infection or inflammation.
A blood sugar level may also be requested to check for diabetes.
What is the treatment for this disease?
Treatment for radiculopathy is based on pain management. It may or may not be medicated. Indeed, it is common to call on physiotherapy to relieve root pain.
For treatment with drugs, the usual analgesics, including anti-inflammatories, are used.
There are two types of anti-inflammatories: steroidal and non-steroidal. The latter are the most effective in the context of this nervous disorder, but their long-term use carries health risks. Ains, it is often used for a short time, and in combination with other drugs. Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as a second line.
Here is a small list of medications that are usually prescribed by the doctor to relieve root pain:
- paracetamol: often insufficient to relieve pain;
- codeine: highest grade analgesic;
- tramadol: higher level painkiller;
- morphine: analgesic reserved for very intense pain;
- ketoprofen: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID);
- diclofenac: NSAIDs;
- naproxen: NSAID.
Antiepileptics are also due to their direct action on the affected nerve fibers. Moreover, they can be infiltrated directly on the affected area.
La physiotherapy is also effective against radiculopathies. The main purpose of the sessions is to relieve nervous tension in order to reduce radicular pain.
You can lessen the discomfort caused by radiculopathy through relaxation activities such as swimming, yoga, meditation, etc.
As a last resort, it is possible to proceed with the surgery to treat radiculopathy. The operation is carefully discussed depending on the cause of the disorder. The principle is relatively simple: remove the compression at the level of the nerve root. In general, surgery is only resorted to when the symptoms really interfere with the patient's daily life or when they threaten his vital functions (difficulty in evacuating urine and stools.)
Sources
- https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Maux/Problemes/Fiche.aspx?doc=radiculalgie-causes-symptome-traitement
- https://www.douleurs-musculaires.ooreka.fr/astuce/voir/550355/radiculalgie
- https://medicalforum.ch/fr/
- https://www.institut-parisien-du-dos.fr/fr/les-pathologies/la-pathologie-cervicale/la-nevralgie-cervico-brachiale
- https://primary-hospital-care.ch/fr/article/doi/phc-f.2021.10288
My name is Anas Boukas and I am a physiotherapist. My mission ? Helping people who are suffering before their pain worsens and becomes chronic. I am also of the opinion that an educated patient greatly increases their chances of recovery. This is why I created Healthforall Group, a network of medical sites, in association with several health professionals.
My journey:
Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the University of Montreal , Physiotherapist for CBI Health,
Physiotherapist for The International Physiotherapy Center