Lumbar Radiculopathy
Break it down. Lumbar means lower back, and radiculopathy is the pathology of a nerve root. This basically means it's a pinched nerve in your back, which may also resemble sciatica symptoms. Lumbar radiculopathy is commonly the result of a disc problem like inflammation or wear and tear.
Sciatica is pain that radiates from your back and down your leg. This commonly happens in people between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can happen to anyone. While it can occur without warning, it often follows an injury. If you're feeling worried, take comfort in knowing there are several lumbar radiculopathy treatments.
Lumbar Radiculopathy NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
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Discover if You Need Lumbar Radiculopathy Treatments
The easiest way to find out if you need treatment for lumbar radiculopathy is to ask yourself if you have back pain, and then narrow it down to pain in the lower back and/or pain in your leg. Visit your Manhattan sports medicine doctor for a more definitive diagnosis. For starters, he'll look for:
Any nerve coming out of your lower spine can be affected by lumbar radiculopathy. Generally, the pain stays on one side. It's usually described as a sharp or searing pain, instead of a dull or aching pain. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical care and start on the path of lumbar radiculopathy treatment.
What Causes Lumbar Radiculopathy?
The symptoms are a direct result of various causes. One cause may be disease. But more commonly, it's the result of a structural problem. For example, another possible cause is a pinched nerve that stems from spinal nerve roots.
This makes the recommended treatment for lumbar radiculopathy non-surgical at first. Common factors that lead to lumbar radiculopathy include:
Age, age-related diseases and degeneration
Congenital spine issues
Overly thick ligaments
Other spinal conditions, like bone spurs or disc herniation
Inflammation
Repetitive movements from heavy lifting, manual labor or other highly physical activities
Contact sports such as football and hockey
Diagnosis Is the Key to Feeling Better
Lumbar radiculopathy treatment starts with being diagnosed by a leading New York City sports medicine professional with pain management experience.
If you're experiencing symptoms, be prepared to talk about your medical history and have a thorough physical. Your doctor looks for limitations in movement of your spine. Other characteristics that your doctor looks for include balance issues, muscle weakness and abnormal reflexes.
The doctor can also order an x-ray or MRI image of your lower spine to confirm the diagnosis. There are other options if you have a pacemaker or stimulator. If your condition is serious enough, you may be asked to take a nerve test or electromyography (EMG). After the diagnosis, your treatment for lumbar radiculopathy varies.
What's the Treatment for Lumbar Radiculopathy?
With many non-invasive options for lumbar radiculopathy treatments, doctors usually opt for medication or therapy. Treatment can be as easy as reducing pain and swelling with oral medication. Other medicine options include:
Typically, doctors lean towards the non-surgical treatment of lumbar radiculopathy. Before surgery is even considered, your doctor may try:
Spinal decompression
Temperature treatments to stimulate blood flow
Limiting activity
Physical therapy
Physical therapy is a great first step toward easing your pain from lumbar radiculopathy. Your physical therapist may work on improving your posture and provide basic exercises. Certain stretches improve flexibility and strengthen your lower back. The therapist can also teach you to remain safe and avoid additional injury by reducing pressure on the spine.
Managing the Pain
If you've tried everything else, or your doctor feels it's medically necessary, surgery is an option. While there are several options for surgical treatment, it's a last resort, used only to treat people with severe pain, mobility issues, or difficulty going to the bathroom. Surgical options for lumbar radiculopathy range from a simple discectomy to chemonucleolysis, which involves dissolving some of the inflamed cushioning between disks.
The best form of pain management is to keep exercising lightly and avoid the activities that cause you the most pain. Taking walks and avoiding long periods of bed rest ensure your symptoms don't worsen. Stick to the normal range of motion activities, and avoid heavy lifting. Keep the area in pain moving, but not stressed. You want to help yourself, not hurt yourself.
Ready to find relief from lumbar radiculopathy?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Lumbar Radiculopathy Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to lumbar radiculopathy is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Lumbar Radiculopathy Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."