There is a clear and important reason for referring to something as the “backbone” of an operation, business, or group. The backbone (or spinal cord) allows us to stand, walk, move, and do just about any other activity in the human body. When a medical condition affects the spinal cord or a spinal nerve root, the effects can be devastating for the individual suffering from that issue.
At one point or another, most people have experienced some neck, back, or leg pain or even nerve irritation that has affected their ways of living. It is important to overcome this pain and discomfort to live your life happily and healthily. When your back is bothering you, it can prevent you from getting out of bed, moving around, or completing your everyday activities. The best way to ensure that your pain is eliminated is to contact medical professionals.
At New York Spine Specialist, our expert team understands the importance of the spine and its role in our everyday lives. We also realize that patients suffering from spinal pain of any type (from a pinched nerve up to severe degeneration) can have catastrophic changes in the lives of those patients. One such condition that can have a major effect on a patient is radiculopathy and its impact on nerve roots in the spine.
What Is a Nerve Root?
The spine is made up of bone segments known as vertebrae and fibrous tissue called intervertebral discs. When the bones and the discs are in good working condition, a person can live a healthy, pain-free life. However, when the disc herniates, that usually spells the end of the pain-free life. A herniated disc, or disc protrusion, occurs when a tear in the intervertebral disc. This tear allows the disc’s contents to bulge out. Cervical radiculopathy occurs when contents bulging pressure the nerve roots (nerve compression). When this happens, the effects of the compression are called radiculopathy.
What Is Radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy is the neurological deficit resulting from the nerves and spinal cord pressure. The nerve compression may cause muscle weakness, arm or finger weakness, numbness, or pain. There are three types of radiculopathy, depending on where the reduction of the nerve root occurs: cervical radiculopathy, lumbar radiculopathy, and thoracic radiculopathy.
Cervical Radiculopathy
If the injury to the spine or compression of spinal nerve roots occurs in the cervical spine, this is classified as cervical radiculopathy. All of the symptoms associated with cervical radiculopathy happen in the upper body because it is located in the neck area of the spine. Patients may experience pain, numbness, or weakness in the shoulder, arm, wrist, or hand.
Lumbar Radiculopathy
When patients experience the symptoms of radiculopathy in the lower back (lumbar spine), that is known as lumbar radiculopathy. Some also refer to it as sciatica because of the involvement of the nerve roots which make up the sciatic nerve.
Thoracic Radiculopathy
If the upper back is experiencing the pain (but not the neck), it is known as thoracic radiculopathy. This is the least common location for the condition, but those who experience it will likely have pain and numbness that wraps around the front of the body.
Treatment Options for Radiculopathy in the Cervical Spine
As with most other spine-related conditions, treatment options to relieve pain are not a one-size-fits-all situation and depend on many factors, including the affected nerve root compression location, the causes of the condition, and the severity of the symptoms.
At New York Spine Specialist, our spinal cord professionals will evaluate your condition, determine the cause and severity of the spinal stenosis, and develop a customized treatment plan to restore nerve function, alleviate the disc herniation, and reduce the symptoms of radiculopathy.
At the beginning of your back or neck pain treatment, we will recommend the following nonsurgical treatment options:
- Over-the-counter and prescription medications
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, or muscle relaxers
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections at the involved nerve root
- Weight loss to relieve pressure
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic therapy
If these options are not successful, we may opt for a minimally invasive surgical option to actively relieve the pressure and pain on your spinal canal.
Nonsurgical treatment options are always the spinal doctors we turn to first because there are risk factors associated with any surgery. Our medical team will discuss all of these options with you and ensure that you feel comfortable with the plan developed before proceeding.
Contact New York Spine Specialist for Radiculopathy Treatment
If you are a resident in New York and suffer from pain, weakness, loss of flexibility, or numbness in your arms or legs, you may be suffering from radiculopathy. At New York Spine Specialist, our medical professionals understand how challenging it can be to deal with radiculopathy symptoms. If possible, we are dedicated to treating radiculopathy without turning to surgical procedures.
When you schedule an appointment with our medical team, we will begin with a physical exam, imaging tests, and nerve conduction studies to diagnose radiculopathy. We will also evaluate your medical history and the symptoms you are experiencing to determine if you have herniated discs causing radicular pain.
At New York Spine Specialist, we know that the sharp pain and weakness you may be feeling can severely impact your daily life. Our goal is to help you overcome that pain and discomfort so that you can return to a pain-free life. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and get back on the road to recovery. Contact us today at (516) 355-0111 or request an appointment.