Lumbar Radiculopathy Definition

The term lumbar radiculopathy may seem complicated, but a clear definition is not all that difficult to understand. “Lumbar” refers to the lower region of your back. Because this area of the spine not only supports an enormous amount of weight, but also facilitates bending, arching, and twisting motions, it is the most common region for back pain to occur in. “Radiculopathy” refers to a set of symptoms usually associated with a compressed spinal nerve – symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. These symptoms generally occur along a neural pathway, which means they can travel from the back to the body parts innervated by the affected nerve or nerves.

Lumbar Radiculopathy and Referred Pain

Referred pain describes pain that occurs at a site other than the exact location of injury. In the lower back, one of the most common nerves to be compressed is the sciatic nerve. This is the largest nerve in the body and when it is constricted in any way, pain can travel from the lower back, through the buttocks, down the legs, around the calves, and into the feet. Referred pain is one reason why conditions involving spinal nerve compression, like lumbar radiculopathy, are difficult to diagnose.

Common Causes of Lumbar Radiculopathy

Spinal nerve roots in the lumbar region of the spine can suffer compression due to a variety of causes, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Bone spurs
• Herniated discs
• Bulging discs
• Tumors

Treatment for Lumbar Radiculopathy

For the majority of patients, the symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy can be treated with a regimen of non-invasive, conservative therapy. Work with your doctor to create a plan that is right for you. This may include physical therapy, yoga, low-impact exercise, behavior modification, or pain medication. If your radicular lower back pain persists for three months or longer despite treatment, you may start to consider surgery as an option. Before undergoing the risks and lengthy recovery periods of a traditional spine operation, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn more about our minimally invasive, endoscopic alternatives to open back surgery. We can tell you more about lumbar radiculopathy, its definition, and your treatment options.