Radiculopathy in Greater Boston
If chronic pain or pins-and-needles sensations in your arms or legs makes it difficult to stay physically active, you may have a condition known as radiculopathy. At Boston Advanced Medicine, the experienced team of pain management specialists offers interventional solutions to treat the symptoms of radiculopathy and improve your overall functioning. Learn more about nonsurgical treatment options for radiculopathy by calling the office today.
Radiculopathy Q & A
What is radiculopathy?
Within your spine are vertebrae that form the canal of your spinal column. Through this canal run nerve roots that travel throughout your body.
When these nerve roots are pinched due to injury or disease, you may experience persistent pain, a loss of reflexes, and frequent tingling in your legs and arms.
What causes radiculopathy?
A number of conditions can trigger symptoms of radiculopathy, including the many age-related changes your body endures as you get older.
You may also develop radiculopathy as a result of:
- Bone spurs
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated discs
In some cases, the pinched nerves of radiculopathy may occur along with peripheral neuropathy, a condition resulting from nerve damage. A combination of nerve issues can make it difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms.
What are the symptoms of radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy symptoms depend on the area where the nerve damage occurs, which may include:
- Cervical region, or neck
- Lumbar region, or lower back
- Thoracic region, or upper back
When nerve compression occurs in the cervical region, you may experience pain or loss of control in your hands and arms.
Lumbar radiculopathy, also known as sciatica, affects the lower back, causing a persistent, stabbing pain that often feels like an electric jolt during certain movements.
If you have nerve damage in the thoracic region, you may experience chronic pain that affects the nerves traveling through the front part of your body.
What treatments are available for radiculopathy?
The physicians at Boston Advanced Medicine can assess the area of pain and other symptoms to determine the best course of treatment. In many cases, they may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce any inflammation that pinches the nerve roots. Steroid injections may also be beneficial for relieving pain and inflammation.
To improve your flexibility and strength, you may need to participate in physical therapy. Exercises can strengthen the muscles that support your spine and help prevent future nerve damage.
Making changes to your existing diet and physical activity level can also provide long-term relief of radiculopathy symptoms. Losing excess weight reduces pressure on your spine and the nerve roots to improve your physical functionality and overall health.
If chronic pain or other symptoms of radiculopathy are interfering with your quality of life, schedule a consultation today by calling our office.
