Lumbar Radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy is a common cause of lower back pain. Caused by inflammation or irritation of a spinal nerve, radiculopathy of the lumbar region often leads to pain that radiates into your hips and legs. In some people, lumbar radiculopathy will disappear without treatment, but in other people, the condition can limit activity and even cause disability. Summit Orthopedics provides advanced care for lumbar radiculopathy in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

What Is Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is a condition that affects the spinal nerve root. It is often caused by nerve compression, inflammation or injury. Radiculopathy can occur at any point along the spine from the neck (cervical radiculopathy) to the middle back (thoracic radiculopathy) to the lower spine (lumbar radiculopathy).

While lumbar radiculopathy is often referred to as “sciatica,” the two conditions are not the same. Radiculopathy is the medical term for the nerve dysfunction caused by compression, whereas sciatica refers to the lower back or leg pain that results from lumbar radiculopathy.

Causes of Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy can have several different causes. They include:

• Acute injury
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Spinal tumors
• Spondylosis
• Vascular disease

Anyone can develop lumbosacral radiculopathy, but it is most common in people over 40. Other risk factors include:

• Employment that involves heavy lifting or frequent twisting
• Family history
• Multiple pregnancies
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Tall height

Symptoms of Lumbar Radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy symptoms include:

• Feelings of “pins and needles” or tingling in your lower back, buttocks, hips or legs
• Lower back pain that radiates to your legs
• Numbness or loss of sensation
• Weakness in your legs

Your pain may be a dull, throbbing ache or it may be sharp or burning.

Diagnosis of Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

To diagnose lumbar radiculopathy, your physician will review your health history and perform a physical examination. You may be asked to bend and move your back and legs in certain ways.

Your doctor may also recommend additional types of testing to ensure correct diagnosis, which may include:

• CT scan, MRI, X-ray or other diagnostic imaging
• Electromyography, or nerve conduction tests

Nonsurgical Treatment for Lumbar Radiculopathy

Around 90% of people with lumbar radiculopathy recover without needing surgery. The most common types of nonsurgical treatment that may help alleviate pain and speed recovery include:

• Pain-relieving medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy
• Self-care, including heat, ice, rest and exercise
• Steroid injections 

You may benefit from a combination of treatments. Physical therapy can be especially effective in restoring range of motion and strength. If you are overweight, you may also find weight loss to help your condition.

Surgical Treatment for Lumbar Radiculopathy

Most people will not need surgical treatment for lumbar radiculopathy. However, if conservative management has not improved symptoms after six weeks, your provider may discuss surgical options to decompress the nerve. In rare cases, such as when you experience severe leg pain along with progressive muscle weakness, your surgeon may consider surgery sooner.

Discectomyis the most common surgery used to treat lumbar radicular pain. This procedure involves removing part or all of the damaged disc in your lower back. Many people will be good candidates for microdiscectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that only requires a tiny incision in your back. This procedure is often an outpatient surgery, which means you can go home the same day.

However, some people may need a discectomy in combination with another type of spinal decompression procedure, such as laminectomy, foraminotomy or spinal fusion. These surgeries are performed on an inpatient basis. You will need to stay in a hospital a couple of days after surgery.

Summit Orthopedics specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery whenever possible. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons have the comprehensive spine expertise you need if conservative treatment is not successful.

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