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Nerve Roots

Nerve roots refer to the nerve segments that branch off the spinal cord in pairs. These structures are responsible for transmitting signals from the brain to the far reaches of the body – and back again. Exiting the spinal column through spaces between the vertebrae, nerve roots are present at every segment of the spine from the cervical spine in the neck to the coccyx in the tail bone (although there is only a single exiting nerve root at the coccyx). Should the nerve roots become irritated, most commonly by a herniated disc or bone spur, a number of pain-related symptoms that can require treatment may present.

The spinal cord, along with the brain, makes up the central nervous system (CNS). This complicated system is responsible for coordinating all of the activity of the body, with motor and sensory function all managed by the body’s nerve infrastructure. The spinal cord extends from the brain and leads down into the first or second vertebrae of the lumbar spine before it branches off into various nerves in the lower half of the body. At every level of the spine, nerve roots diverge from the cord through spaces called foramina (singular, foramen), which are located between each vertebra. Because of their proximity to vertebrae and the discs in between vertebrae, spinal nerve roots are susceptible to irritation from a variety of spinal problems, such as:

• Disc disorder – intervertebral discs become thinned, herniated or protruded, causing nerve compression
• Facet disease – the deterioration of intervertebral joints
• Spinal stenosis – the narrowing of the spinal canal leading to compression
• Injury – both traumatic and seemingly innocuous injury can lead to the pinching of a nerve root
• And more

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When nerve roots are compressed or pinched, a number of pain-related symptoms may be experienced, including chronic neck pain, back pain, muscle weakness, pain traversing along the nerve and chronic neck pain. The specific symptoms a patient experiences are dependent on the origin and severity of the nerve compression.

If you are experiencing back or neck pain, visit your physician for a complete diagnosis of your condition. In most instances, these aches and pains can be managed with conservative, non-surgical treatment over several months. If, however, your pain persists, contact the team at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) to learn about minimally invasive, outpatient endoscopic spine procedures as a gentle alternative to traditional open back surgery. Contact us for more information on nerve roots and for a free review of your CT scan or MRI.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.