Lumbar Radiculopathy Radicular pain develops when pressure or irritation affects a spinal nerve root. When this pain spreads down the back of your leg to the lower leg or foot, it is referred to as sciatica. This pain often feels constant and intense, and certain actions like sitting or walking may bring it on.

What are the signs and symptoms of Lumbar Radiculopathy? Radicular Pain often Spreads to the Legs and Feet. Pain spreads along the dermatome of the leg. This refers to the specific area on the leg where a particular nerve sends signals. If the L4-5 or L5-S1 nerves are involved, which are the two lowest levels, this area often lines up with the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels down the back of the leg and reaches the foot. People with radicular pain might also notice numbness, tingling, weak muscles, or even missing certain reflexes.

Pain Location on the Body: Radicular pain spreads through the lower limb, including the thigh, calf, and sometimes the foot, following the path of a specific spinal nerve root. Sciatica, which happens when pain travels along the sciatic nerve down the back of the thigh and calf and into the foot, is its most common symptom. This condition often results from spinal nerve compression in the lower back. Compression affects the lower spinal nerve roots, like L5 and S1. When someone has this condition, leg pain feels much worse than pain in the lower back. The areas of the leg or foot that hurt depend on which nerve in the lower back gets affected. If compression happens in higher lumbar nerves like L2, L3, or L4, it may lead to radicular discomfort in the front of the thigh and down the shin.

What are the causes of Lumbar Radiculopathy? Lumbar radiculopathy results from pressure, swelling, or harm to a spinal nerve root in the lower back. The most common reasons for this pain, listed by how often they occur, include:

• A herniated disc pressing on nerves is the most frequent reason for radiculopathy.
• A narrowing of the opening where spinal nerves pass, called foraminal stenosis, often happens in older adults due to bone spurs or arthritis.
• Diabetes can also play a role in nerve-related issues.
• Damage to nerve roots is another possible cause.
• Scar tissue from earlier spinal surgeries might interfere with the nerve root.

How to Diagnose Lumbar Radiculopathy? Doctors determine the actual condition by reviewing the patient’s medical history and examining their physical symptoms. Scans like MRIs or CT myelograms help verify this diagnosis and often reveal pressure on the nerve root.

What is the treatment of Lumbar Radiculopathy? Patients can explore both nonsurgical and surgical options to address lumbar radiculopathy.

Nonsurgical Management Doctors suggest six to eight weeks of nonsurgical treatments like: Physical therapy: Doctors suggest various stretches, core strengthening exercises, and gentle spinal mobilisation and soft tissue techniques. This improves lower back mobility and reduces pain. Medication: Various medications can manage symptoms: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce inflammation and pain Muscle relaxants relieve associated muscle spasms Nerve pain medications like gabapentin or pregabalin Spinal injections: Epidural injections deliver medication directly to the affected nerve root. This provides relief for several weeks to months. Surgical Intervention:

• Doctors recommend surgery in the following cases:
• If conservative treatments fail to ease the pain
• People with serious issues like intense leg pain
• Worsening muscle weakness
• Progressive neurological deficits

Surgery options are:

• Microdiscectomy: Removal of the portion of a herniated disc, which is compressing the nerve root
• Laminectomy: Surgical removal of a part of the vertebral bone to decompress the nerve
• Foraminotomy: Widening of the neural foramen (opening where nerve roots exit the spine)