Radicular pain is generally a result of inflammation or compression of spinal nerves. Once the pain will radiate through the back of the leg and all the way to the calf of one’s foot, it will be described as sciatica. The pain in this case is generally steady and deep. Furthermore, certain activities, such as walking or sitting, can reproduce the pain.
In most cases, pain follows the embedded dermatome in the leg, which is the area of distribution of the leg covered by certain nerve. In case a nerve at two bottom levels – L5-S1 or L4-5 is affected, the dermatome is generally the sciatic nerve. It runs down to the foot through the back of each leg.
This kind of pain can also be followed by tingling, muscle weakness, numbness as well as the loss of certain reflexes. In case the actual nerve dysfunction takes place, the condition is considered “radiculopathy”.
Where Is Common Pain Distribution Area?
Frequently, radicular pain will radiate into the lower extremities, including calf, thigh and even the foot through the course of certain nerve root. In such cases, the general symptom of is sciatica. This pain will radiate via the sciatic nerve – through the back of one’s thigh and calf, straight into the foot. This is a general form of pain that is induced by compression of spinal nerve in one’s lower back. In most cases, it will be a result of compression of the lower spine nerve roots.
How To Treat Lumbar Radiculopathy
Healthcare experts recommend a course of certain non-surgical treatment, including selective spinal injections, medications and physical therapies, which would have to be conducted for at least six, in some cases eight, weeks. In case the non-surgical treatment will not ease the pain, special decompressive surgery (discectomy, microdiscectomy and laminectomy) could be prescribed. The surgery will provide a relief for radicular pain for the vast majority of patients. Patients with acute pain as well as additional severe symptoms will need to go through the surgery prior to the non-surgical therapy.
Finding a qualified as well as experienced chiropractor may help in dealing with the pain. This specialist will do his very best to help you and will use all available methods, including the non-surgical ones to alleviate the pain. Get in touch with a chiropractic specialist at the earliest opportunity.
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