What is Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is often referred to as a pinched nerve. Radiculopathy is injury or damage to nerve roots in the area where they leave the spine. Radiculopathy often occurs as the body starts to age and the discs in the spine start to degenerate and begin to bulge. Discs in the spine begin to dry out and stiffen and the body responds to these changes by creating bone spurs to strengthen the discs, causing the narrowing of the nerve root exit and pinches the nerve.

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Types 

• Cervical radiculopathy: occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated at the point where it leaves the spinal cord., resulting in pain in shoulders, muscle weakness, and numbness that travels down the arm into the hand.

• Thoracic radiculopathy: a pinched nerve in the upper region of the back, causing symptoms such as pain, and numbness and tingling that can extend to the front of the body.

• Lumbar radiculopathy: occurs in the lumbar region of the spine and is associated with sciatica pain. The lumbar region (lower back) is the most common area affected by radiculopathy.

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