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Age and Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy refers to a set of symptoms associated with nerve compression within the spine. These symptoms can include potentially debilitating pain, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness in the area of the body innervated by the affected nerve. Nerve compression can be caused by a variety of spinal conditions, many of which are related to the aging process.

Why Aging Can Cause Radiculopathy

As the body ages, the anatomical components of the spine are exposed to a great deal of stress and pressure. The vertebrae, joints, intervertebral discs and ligaments of the spine help support the body’s weight and provide a wide range of motion starting at the head, moving through the torso and down to the waist. Over time, this weight-bearing function and stress from movement can have the following effects:

• Loss of water content in the intervertebral discs, reducing disc height and flexibility; this is called degenerative disc disease.
• Diminished bone mass in the vertebrae; this is called osteoporosis.
• Degeneration of the facet joints, the places along the spine where the vertebrae meet and move; this degeneration is called facet disease, or arthritis of the spine.
• Thickening of ligaments, called ossification; this can occur because of calcium deposits that build up over time.

How to Manage Radiculopathy

After a doctor has diagnosed radiculopathy, the first step typically is to begin a course of conservative treatment. This can include prescription or over-the-counter pain medication, exercise, physical therapy, behavior modification or other types of non-surgical treatment. However, if chronic symptoms persist after several weeks of conservative treatment, surgery might become an option. If this is the case for you, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn how a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed using advanced, endoscopic techniques may help you rediscover your life without back or neck pain.

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