Lumbar Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy means irritation of the nerves caused by damage to the vertebral discs. Damage to these discs occurs in traumatic injury, degenerative joint disease (“wear and tear”), or both. As a result, the softer portion in the center of the disc can rupture through the outer ring and join the spinal cord or its nerve fibers as they exit the spinal column. This rupture causes the commonly recognized “sciatica-like” pain of a herniated disc. The pain shoots from the lumbar area of the back and radiates down the leg. Sciatica-like pain in this condition can follow a “popping” sensation or be preceded by a history of localized low-back aching – accompanied by other symptoms such as tingling and numbness. The low back pain usually increases with coughing, sneezing, and the slight movements at the waist. In more severe cases, it is accompanied by bowel or urinary incontinence.
Lumbar radiculopathy typically affects one side of the body, such as the right side or left side, and not both.