Spine: Radiculopathy

Question 1

Define Radiculopathy

Answer 1

Symptoms resulting from pinching/damage to spinal nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord
Sciatica = Lumbar radiculopathy

Question 2

Aetiology and risk factors of radiculopathy

Answer 2

Often caused by changes in the tissue surrounding your spinal canals-
Disc herniation-pulposus breaks through annulus
Bone spurts-extra bone growth after trauma, OA or other
Ossification of canal
Infection
Cancer

Risk factors:
Age
Manual handling job
Overweight
FHx of bone conditions
Diabetes

Question 3

Epidiemology of Radiculopathy

Answer 3

Lots-the end

Question 4

Signs and symptoms of radiculopathy

Answer 4

Pain/electrical sensation at the involved level
Cervical-shoulders/arms/hands
Thoracic-Arms/hands (rare)-dematome distribution
Lumbar-sciatica (shooting pain down leg

Pain can be associated with sensory disturbances-Numbness, tingling, lower pain and Temp feeling

also associated with LMN signs-> weakness, dull reflexes, eventual muscle wasting

Question 5

Investigations for radiculopathy

Answer 5

Physical exam tells you a lot
MRI/CT can show the compression
nerve conduction studies-verify if muscular or nerve

Other test to see what the cause is (Hba1c-diabetes, ESR/CRP-infection/tumours, etc)