If you experience pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation in your arms and hands or your lower body, you might be suffering from radiculopathy, also known as a pinched nerve. When your spinal structures, such as the ligaments, joints, vertebrae, and discs, pinch the surrounding nerves, you experience the symptoms of radiculopathy. Multiple Sclerosis and Neurology Institute of Austin is led by acclaimed neurological experts specializing in the latest diagnostic techniques and treatments for radiculopathy. Please schedule an appointment to speak with our radiculopathy doctor in Austin to explore your treatment options.
Radiculopathy FAQs
What is radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy, also known as a pinched nerve, is a condition wherein excess pressure is placed on the nerves that carry signals to various parts of your body. Various components of your spine, such as the bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilages, muscles, or spinal discs, can impinge on the surrounding nerves, leading to numbness, tingling sensations, and muscle weakness at various parts of your body.
What are the symptoms of radiculopathy?
The specific symptoms of radiculopathy depend on the location of the affected nerves. The symptoms of a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine (lower back) will appear in the hips, buttocks, and legs, and the symptoms of a pinched nerve in the cervical spine (neck) will appear in the shoulders, arms, and hands.
The following are some of the primary symptoms of radiculopathy:
- Pain in the areas of the affected nerves
- Tingling sensations radiating to different parts of the body
- Numbness in the affected regions
- Muscle weakness
How is radiculopathy diagnosed?
The Multiple Sclerosis and Neurology Institute of Austin performs a thorough physical evaluation to diagnose the root cause of your pinched spinal nerve. The diagnostic process may include physical tests, x-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, myelograms, and nerve conduction studies. Our radiculopathy doctor in Austin identifies and treats the root cause of your radiculopathy to ensure lasting results.
What causes radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy occurs when structures of the spine, such as the muscles, ligaments, joints, spinal discs, and vertebrae, impinge on the spinal nerves. The impingement of the spinal nerve leads to severe pain, discomfort, tenderness, muscle weakness, and tingling sensations that radiate to different parts of the body, depending on the location of the pinched nerve.
The following are some of the most common underlying causes of radiculopathy:
- Bulging Discs: The wear-and-tear of the spinal disc leads to the stiffening of the disc cartilage, so the outer layer may bulge outwards and apply pressure on the nerves.
- Disc Herniation: When the outer layer (annulus) of the spinal disc is cracked, the inner nucleus may protrude out of the disc and pinch the surrounding nerves.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: As you grow older, the discs dehydrate and start cracking, which narrows the space in the spinal canal and increases the risk of a pinched nerve.
What are the treatments for radiculopathy?
The Multiple Sclerosis and Neurology Institute of Austin aims to treat the source of radiculopathy using the least invasive and conservative solutions. Physical therapy and medications should resolve the issue in most cases. We also provide corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation caused by pinched nerves, offering instant pain relief. Our radiculopathy doctor in Austin will curate a personalized treatment plan after a thorough evaluation.
