Radiculopathy

Pain Management & Anesthesiology located in Augusta, Austell, Brookhaven, Camp Creek, Piedmont/Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Canton, Carrollton, Cartersville, Conyers, Covington, Dallas, Douglasville, Jasper, Johns Creek, Suwanne, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Peachtree City, Roswell, and Woodstock, GA

Back or neck pain, especially burning, tingling, or radiating discomfort may be a sign of nerve damage (radiculopathy). At Alliance Spine & Pain, the skilled providers offer highly effective treatments to ease radiculopathy discomfort and restore mobility. Call one of the offices in Austell, Augusta, Woodstock, Atlanta, Marietta, Conyers, Lawrenceville, Jasper, Cartersville, Dallas, Suwanee, Covington, Carrollton, Canton, Sandy Springs, Douglasville, Peachtree City, or Roswell, Georgia, or use the online booking feature today.

Radiculopathy Q & A

What is radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is pain caused by compression, damage, or inflammation of nerve roots. Such nerve roots travel from your spinal cord to different parts of your body. Radiculopathy can appear in various forms, including:

Lumbar radiculopathy - nerve damage and pain in your lower back
Thoracic radiculopathy - pinched nerve root in your upper back
Cervical radiculopathy - compressed nerve root in your neck

The good news is that highly effective pain-reducing treatments at Alliance Spine & Pain offer relief from radiculopathy discomfort. Your specialist tailors each treatment to your unique needs.

What are the symptoms of radiculopathy?

Symptoms of radiculopathy include:

Back, arm, leg, or shoulder pain
Sharp discomfort
Pain with sneezing or coughing
Reduced reflexes in your legs or arms
Weakness
Numbness
Tingling

You may not have any symptoms, at least initially, or symptoms might flare up periodically.

What are the risk factors for radiculopathy?

Changes in the tissue surrounding nerve roots, including tendons, spinal vertebrae, and intervertebral discs, can contribute to radiculopathy. Specific causes may include:

Spinal stenosis (narrowed spinal canal)
Spinal injuries
Age-related wear
Disc herniation
Thickened spinal ligaments
Spine infections
Tumors
Improper lifting techniques
Lack of strength
Excess body weight

Though you can’t always prevent radiculopathy, ways to reduce the risk of developing it include staying physically active, maintaining an ideal body weight, having good posture, and using proper form when lifting heavy objects. Avoid lifting objects that are too heavy.

How does my specialist diagnose radiculopathy?

To diagnose radiculopathy and treat it properly, an Alliance Spine & Pain provider discusses your symptoms and medical history. They complete a physical exam to assess your reflexes and muscle strength and may order nerve tests, X-rays, a CT scan, an MRI, or another imaging procedure.

How is radiculopathy treated?

Alliance Spine & Pain offers an array of treatments to ease radiculopathy discomfort. Your specialist may suggest:

Lifestyle changes
Medications
Healthy weight management
Corticosteroid injections
Regenerative medicine
Physical therapy
Surgery
Trigger point injections

Surgical procedures for reducing nerve pain include widening the area where nerve roots exit your spine or removing, repairing, or replacing damaged spinal discs or vertebrae.

Your provider tailors each treatment to your personalized needs, allowing for effective pain relief and the best quality of life possible.

To ease radiculopathy discomfort, call the Alliance Spine & Pain office nearest you or book an appointment online today.