Cervical Radiculopathy and Lumbar Radiculopathy Treatment in New York

Cervical and lumbar radiculopathy causes excessive discomfort and can interfere with your daily life. These conditions often require medical intervention and can worsen over time. New York Spine Specialist offers outstanding cervical and lumbar radiculopathy treatment in New York and will help you alleviate your pain so you can live a happier, healthier life.

Get assistance from New York’s spine specialist. New York Spine Specialist will help you overcome your condition through effective medical treatments that will curb your pain and restore your bodily function so you can enjoy everything life has to offer once again. If you need professional treatment for cervical radiculopathy or lumbar radiculopathy, contact New York Spine Specialist.

What’s the Difference Between Cervical Radiculopathy and Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Although cervical radiculopathy and lumbar radiculopathy are nearly identical in symptoms and are equally debilitating, they affect different parts of the body.

Cervical radiculopathy causes excessive discomfort in your neck, while lumbar radiculopathy affects your lower back. Studies show that 30% of people with lumbar/cervical radiculopathy experience pain while standing, walking, and/or sitting, according to PubMed Central. 

Doctors take different approaches to treat lumbar and cervical radiculopathy but provide similar results. They use various treatment methods to reduce pain and discomfort while restoring your range of motion.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Lumbar and Cervical Radiculopathy?

During your appointment, doctors perform a thorough physical to ensure your pain stems from a radiculopathy condition. Both cervical and lumbar radiculopathy mimic pulled muscle symptoms, so doctors must complete several tests and evaluations to complete an accurate diagnosis. They assess your muscle strength, reflexes, the area’s sensitivity, and more to determine the cause of your discomfort.

Many patients undergo X-rays, MRIs, and computed tomography (CT scans) to assess neck/spine alignment and health. This helps rule out bone spurs and other conditions that affect the spinal nerves.

If your doctor diagnoses you with lumbar or cervical radiculopathy, they will create a treatment plan that will help you curb symptoms and reduce the condition’s severity. Treatments often include medications and physical therapy but can vary from patient to patient. Other common cervical and lumbar radiculopathy treatments include, but aren’t limited to:

• Soft cervical collars
• Cervical epidural steroid injections
• Trigger point injections
• Shoulder injections
• Sympathetic or occipital nerve block injections

If these lumbar/cervical radiculopathy treatments fail to curb symptoms or the symptoms worsen, your doctor may recommend surgical intervention. Fortunately, these procedures are minimally disruptive and don’t require extended hospital stays. Most patients don’t need to spend more than one night in the hospital and can return to their normal routine shortly after the surgery.

Your doctor will examine your condition’s severity and determine the best treatment plan for your specific needs.

Factors That Put You at Risk for Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy

It’s important to note that men experience lumbar and cervical radiculopathy much more than women (107.3 per 100,000 incidence rate for men and 63.5 per 100,000 for women, according to PM&R Knowledge NOW), especially men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Manual labor workers who lift heavy objects and people who operate machinery that constantly vibrates are also at a higher risk for the conditions.

However, there are several other factors that can increase the likelihood of cervical and lumbar radiculopathy. These factors include:

• Regularly sitting for long periods of time
• Smoking
• Car accident trauma
• Sports injuries (especially golf injuries)

Medical Conditions That Cause or Worsen Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy

While many people understand that herniated discs are one of the primary causes of lumbar and cervical radiculopathy, few know why. 

Spinal discs contain a jelly-like substance that can leak out due to significant trauma or everyday wear and tear. This is why middle-aged and older patients experience lumbar and cervical radiculopathy more often. As the substance leaks, it irritates the cervical/lumbar nerves, leading to radiculopathy later on.

Other medical conditions like degenerative disc disease can also increase the chances of radiculopathy. For example, degenerative disc disease slowly erodes the cervical spine over time, causing significant pain and radiculopathy conditions. Below are a few other medical conditions that can cause or exacerbate cervical and lumbar radiculopathy:

• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoarthritis or spondylosis 
• Lumbar facet syndrome
• Spinal fractures or compression
• Musculoskeletal injuries 
• Muscle spasms 
• Bone spurs

Contact New York Spine Specialist for Excellent Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy Treatment in New York, NY

If you suffer from cervical or lumbar radiculopathy and want to reduce your pain and improve your quality of life, contact New York Spine Specialist for outstanding lumbar and cervical treatment. We will treat your radiculopathy condition using effective methods that help you live a pain-free life. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection), and same-day appointments may be available.

Give New York Spine Specialist a call at (516) 355-0111 and see what our team can do for you today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will Cervical and/or Lumbar Radiculopathy Go Away On Their Own if I Don’t Receive Treatment?

Although minor cervical and lumbar radiculopathy can go away on their own, it’s not always the case and often takes time. It’s best to seek treatment as soon as you experience symptoms to reduce pain and potentially eliminate the condition faster and more efficiently.

Is Cervical/Lumbar Radiculopathy a Disorder?

The Social Security Administration determines if your cervical/lumbar radiculopathy is severe enough to classify as a disorder.

Can You Make a Full Recovery After Being Diagnosed with Lumbar/Cervical Radiculopathy?

Most people with mild lumbar/cervical radiculopathy make a full recovery after eight to 12 weeks, according to Singapore Sports and Orthopaedic Clinic. However, the time frame depends on the treatment and the condition’s severity.

How Can I Reduce Lumbar/Cervical Radiculopathy Symptoms at Home?

Maintaining good posture and preventing stationary activity for long periods of time will help rescue your symptoms and make the condition more tolerable. Taking time to walk around after sitting for several hours and lifting objects properly will diminish symptoms while preventing other potential health issues.

Contact New York Spine Specialist for top-quality lumbar and cervical radiculopathy treatment in New York today!

Radiculopathy Treatment

Radiculopathy is the word used to describe pain, numbness and tingling caused by nerve root irritation. Nerve roots are the bases of nerves as they branch off the spinal cord and through the foramen to connect to different parts of the body. The nerves also send signals to the brain to create sensations. Radiculopathy is usually caused by disc herniation or degenerative changes to the spine that put pressure on nerve roots. Radiculopathy can be felt on either or both sides of the body, depending on the cause. For example, the abnormal spinal curve created by scoliosis can compress the nerve roots on one side of the body.

RADICULOPATHY

WE CAN HELP!

Symptoms can often be relieved by conservative treatments like anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and rest. Occasionally, Bracing may be prescribed. Most patients respond well to this treatment, with symptoms improving from six weeks to three months. However, if there is evidence of nerve damage or if symptoms fail to improve over time, surgery may be needed to remove pressure from the spinal roots. The procedure needed varies according to the source of the nerve root compression and its location in the spine.   Please call and schedule an appointment immediately and one of our spine specialists can diagnose your injury.