Pinched Nerve

Radiculopathy is classified by where along the spine it occurs:

• Neck (cervical radiculopathy): Affects nerves in the neck, often causing symptoms in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
• Middle to upper back (thoracic radiculopathy): A less common form involving the middle to upper back, sometimes causing pain that wraps around the chest or torso.
• Low back (lumbar radiculopathy): The most common type is often associated with lower back pain and frequently linked to the term “sciatica”, with symptoms felt in the hip, leg or foot.

Radiculopathy typically develops when nearby tissue puts pressure on a nerve root. Common causes include:

• Herniated or bulging disks
• Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal
• Bone spurs
• Age-related wear on the spine
• Injury or trauma to the spine

A POSH specialist begins with a physical exam to assess strength, reflexes, and sensation, along with a review of your symptoms and medical history. Depending on the findings, additional testing may be ordered. Some tests may include:

• Imaging Tests: such as an MRI or CT scan, to identify herniated disks, bone spurs or spinal stenosis
• Electromyography (EMG):  measures electrical activity in the muscles to detect nerve damage or subtle nerve dysfunction.

POSH specialists work alongside multidisciplinary teams to offer nonsurgical treatments for radiculopathy, aiming to ease symptoms and help patients move more comfortably without surgery. Common options include:

• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
• Activity modification
• Prescriptive Medication

When nonsurgical treatments do not provide sufficient relief, a POSH specialist will discuss surgical options, which may include:

• Minimally invasive decompression surgery: A less invasive procedure that relieves pressure on the nerve by removing the tissue or bone causing the compression while minimizing surrounding tissue disruption, often with a shorter recovery time.
• Minimally invasive microdiscectomy: Removes the portion of a herniated disk pressing on the nerve, using small incisions to minimize muscle disruption and hopefully reduce recovery time and scarring.
• Spinal fusion: Joins two or more vertebrae together to stabilize the spine and prevent further irritation of the nerve and progressive instability.