Back to Basics: (Acute) Lumbar Radiculopathy

Spine & Nerve

In this week's episode of the Spine & Nerve podcast Dr. Nicolas Karvelas and Dr. Brian Joves review lumbar radiculopathy. Lumbar radiculopathy is a common diagnosis in which there is irritation or compression of one or more nerve roots in the lumbar spine. Because these nerves travel to the hips, buttocks, legs and feet, an injury in the lumbar spine can cause symptoms in these areas such as pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling..

Lumbar radiculopathy is typically due to a structural abnormality: specifically disc herniation and/or impingement due to spondylosis. Disc herniation (a rupture in the fibrous outer wall of a lumbar disc allowing the soft nucleus of the disc to bulge outward, which can press against a nerve root) is one of the most common causes of lumbar radiculopathy. Because of how common this pathology is, it is important to understand the usual natural history of radiculopathy due to disc herniation. Acute disc herniations typically improves significantly by 6-12 weeks with conservative treatment, making patient education a key component of helping them through this painful condition.

That being said, the differential diagnosis for lumbar radiculopathy is very broad, and as always it is important to consider and rule out more concerning etiologies.

Listen as the doctors discuss the definition of lumbar radiculopathy, the differential diagnosis, as well as a more detailed discussion of the natural history of radiculopathy and conclude with a look at the pathophysiology of lumbar radiculopathy.

References:
1. Gupta A, Upadhyaya S, Yeung CM, et al. Does Size Matter? An Analysis of the Effect of Lumbar Disc Herniation Size on the Success of Nonoperative Treatment. Global Spine Journal. 2020;10(7):881-887.

2. Weinstein JN, Tosteson TD, Lurie JD, et al. Surgical vs Nonoperative Treatment for Lumbar Disk Herniation: The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT): A Randomized Trial. JAMA. 2006;296(20):2441–2450.

3. Gugliotta M, da Costa BR, Dabis E, et al. Surgical versus conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2016;6:e012938.

4. Lin JH, Chiang YH, Chen CC. Lumbar radiculopathy and its neurobiological basis. World J Anesthesiol 2014; 3(2): 162-173.