Radiculopathy

Compressive radiculopathy is an injury to the nerve root as it exits the spinal canal. This can be caused by a bulging/slipped disc and/or narrowing of the canal that a nerve root exits through. Radiculopathies are usually caused by degenerative changes in the neck (cervical) and/or lower back (lumbar) portions of the spine. Acute spinal trauma can also cause radiculopathies. Radiculopathies are often treated conservatively with pain control and physical therapy, and often improve over time. In some cases, management with epidural steroid injections, nerve root blocks,and/or Spine Clinic referral for consideration of surgical intervention may be needed.