Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Definition

Lumbosacral radiculopathy is a broad term referring to a range of symptoms associated with the nerves of the lumbosacral plexus in the lower back. The lumbosacral plexus encompasses the nerves that exit the spinal cord at the lumbar, sacral and coccygeal regions of the spine. Radiculopathy occurs when an anatomical abnormality has caused one or more of these nerves to become irritated, pinched, or impinged.

How Do I Know if I Have Lumbosacral Radiculopathy?

If a nerve within the lumbosacral region is compressed, it can produce symptoms that include localized pain, pain that radiates down the lower back and into the legs and feet, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness. The part of the body displaying the symptoms will depend on which nerve or nerves are being compressed. In general, acute lower back pain as a result of muscle strain or ligament sprain does not produce radiculopathy. What does produce it is degeneration of an intervertebral disc or the joints of the spine. Potential causes of lumbosacral radiculopathy include:

• Herniated disc – nucleus material extrudes through a tear or crack in the fibrous outer wall of the disc
• Bulging disc – the outer wall of the disc is forced out of its normal boundary by nucleus material but the wall remains intact
• Spondylolisthesis – slippage of one vertebra over another vertebra
• Facet disease – degeneration of the facet joints, where the vertebrae connect
• Bone spurs – also known as osteophytes, these bony growths are associated with osteoarthritis and are the body’s response to bone degeneration

Conservative Treatment Can Help

Most people who experience lumbosacral radiculopathy do not resort to surgery for relief. Conservative treatment, including physical therapy, exercise, rest and pain medication usually is enough to manage the pain and other symptoms. However, when chronic lower back pain persists after weeks or months of conservative therapy, surgery might become an option. Laser Spine offers an alternative to traditional open back surgery. At Laser Spine Institute, tens of thousands of patients have rediscovered a life without back pain, thanks to advanced, gentle, endoscopic techniques. Contact Laser Spine Institute to learn more about our minimally invasive, outpatient procedures and to receive a free review of an MRI or CT scan.