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More Radiculopathy Information

Radiculopathy


What Are the Signs of Radiculopathy?

Signs and symptoms of radiculopathy include pain that feels like a burning sensation, numbness, and tingling in the arms or legs. As the condition progresses it is possible that further symptoms such as muscle weakness and muscular atrophy will begin to be seen. In most cases radiculopathy symptoms will begin mild and progress more as the condition worsens with time.

Lumbar Radiculopathy Symptoms:

  • Pain that radiates through your buttocks and down your legs; worsens when sitting
  • A sharp constant pain in the back of the leg that will get worse when standing or walking
  • Weakness or loss of function in the leg or foot
  • Numbness and/or tingling in one leg

Cervical Radiculopathy Symptoms:

  • Pain that radiates through the should, down the arm, and occasionally into the hand
  • Neck pain
  • Loss of reflexes in the affected arm
  • Numbness and/or tingling in the arm and possibly the hand
  • Muscular weakness in the arm

Symptoms of radiculopathy are also dependent on which nerve is affected. For example, inflamed nerves in the neck and inflamed nerves in the back show symptoms in different parts of the body. In particular, symptoms of cervical radiculopathy are seen in the shoulders, arms, and hands; whereas symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy are found in the buttocks, legs, and feet. It is also true that radiculopathy symptoms may be felt in specific areas of the extremities depending on which nerve is actually affected.

Note From Dr. Liu When lumbar radiculopathy causes pain that radiates down to the lower extremities, the condition is referred to as sciatica.

Signs of radiculopathy can sometimes be confused with other conditions. For example, thoracic radiculopathy symptoms presenting as traveling pain from the middle back around to the chest, are often mistaken for symptoms of shingles.

Confused about your symptoms?

If you think that you are showing signs of radiculopathy we recommend that you take a moment to fill out our where is your pain diagnostics survey. Once we receive it, one of our ASC patient advocates will be in touch with you to provide you with any help or advice that you may need.

Begin 3 Step Diagnosis Process

Need assistance, or for answers to any questions you have please contact us now or call (877) 272-4535.