Radiculopathy
Sarah Weir
What is Radiculopathy?
Cervical Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy
Lumbar Radiculopathy
Symptoms:
Cervical Radiculopathy pain travels down the arm in the area of the involved nerve. Pain is usually described as sharp. There can also be a "pins and needles" sensation or even complete numbness. In addition, there may be a feeling of weakness with certain activities.
Lumbar Radiculopathy pain radiates into the lower extremity (thigh, calf, and occasionally the foot) directly along the course of a specific spinal nerve root.
Tests to Diagnose:
2. The Neck Distraction Test. In this test, the patient is in supine position. If the pain is relieved with distraction force, indicating that pressure on the nerve roots have been relieved, it is positive for cervical radiculopathy.
Treatment:
Key Terms Chart
*Radiculopathy
A pinched nerve in the cervical or lumbar region
*Cervical
Of or pertaining to the cervix or neck
*Lumbar
A lumbar, vertebra, artery, or the like
*Disc
A flat or circular plate
*Herniated Disc
An abnormal protrusion of a spinal disc between vertebrae, most often in the lumbar region of the spine, causing pain due to pressure on spinal nerves
Citations:
Questions for Class:
2. What are the two types of Radiculopathy?