Lumbar Radiculopathy (Leg Pain)

What Is Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy occurs when one of your nerve roots is compressed or irritated. This can cause the area affected to become painful, numb, or tingly. Lumbar radiculopathy affects the lower back. When the pain radiates down the back of the leg to the calf or foot, it can be described as sciatica.

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What Causes Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Lumbar Radiculopathy occurs when the nerve roots in your back become inflamed and compressed. Several possible causes of this condition exist, including a herniated disc with nerve compression, foraminal stenosis, diabetes, nerve root injuries, or scar tissue from previous spinal surgery that affects the nerve root.

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The entire staff of NY Spine Care are outstanding, very responsive and always willing to listen and offer solutions. I am not sure I can add much to Dr. Camissa’s already stellar reputation, however my experience was simply amazing. I had work done on both my cervical and lumbar and Dr. Camissa was extremely forthright about the procedure, risks, and recovery which prepared me for any eventuality. Both my surgeries were a success and I am forever indebted to Dr. Cammisa and his staff.

Nicholas T.

Totally pain free for the first time in 2 years. From pre-surgery to surgery to HSS stay and now post surgery… feel that I’ve been blessed to have been taken care of by the entire Spinecare team.

Norm Z.

You can’t find a better surgical facility than the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in NYC. It is state of the art for medical procedures combined with top notch doctors employing cutting edge technologies. Dr. Frank Cammisa is the best spinal surgeon in the country and a terrific and compassionate physician who takes the time to meet with you and analyze and discuss your particular situation. I can’t say enough about HSS and Dr. Cammisa and his staff.

Rudy M.

Symptoms of Lumbar Radiculopathy

Radicular pain can radiate into the lower extremities, such as the thigh, calf, and foot, directly along the course of a specific spinal nerve root. The most common symptom of radicular pain is sciatica, caused by the compression of a spinal nerve in the back. With this particular condition, leg pain is often much more prominent than lower back pain.

 Symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy can include:

• Pain in the lower back and/or leg.
• Tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness that travels into the buttocks, hip, groin, or leg.
• Muscle spasms.

How is Lumbar Radiculopathy Diagnosed?

To diagnose lumbar radiculopathy, your physician will begin by reviewing your medical history, general health, any past or recent injuries, and your current symptoms. You may be asked to perform various movements to replicate the pain and accurately identify what causes it and during what activities it commonly occurs. Lastly, specific imaging tests may diagnose your condition if a physical exam does not yield a proper diagnosis. Imaging tests can include an X-ray, MRI, CT scan, or EMG.

How Is Lumbar Radiculopathy Treated?

Depending on the severity of your lumbar radiculopathy and the specificities of your case, multiple treatment options exist to relieve your pain. SpineCare of NY is dedicated to an open partnership between our surgical and non-surgical physicians to come up with the most minimally invasive treatment plan possible. Non-surgical solutions can include prescription and over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, steroid injections, and lifestyle changes. If symptoms persist, a spinal decompression procedure may be the next step.

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The trusted physicians at SpineCare of NY are dedicated to providing the most advanced and up-to-date solutions to your spinal condition. We are affiliated with HSS, Hospital for Special Surgery, the number one ranked orthopedic hospital in the United States, ensuring you are in the most capable of hands through every step of your spinal health journey. To schedule a consultation, head to our website and fill out an online contact form today.