In-Depth Information
The Spine Diagnostic & Pain Treatment Center
Treating Lumbar Radicular Pain At Its Source
Radicular pain, or radiculitis, is pain that “radiates” along the sensory distribution of a nerve due to inflammation or other irritation of the nerve root at its connection to the spinal column. This is due to the fact that the irritation causes ectopic nerve impulses to be perceived as pain in the distribution of the axon.
A common form of radiculitis is lumbar radicular pain, also known as sciatica, which radiates along the sciatic nerve from the lower spine to the lower back, gluteal muscles, back of the upper thigh, calf and foot. It is often caused by nerve root irritation from a spinal disc herniation or from osteophytes in the lumbar region of the spine.
Lumbar radicular pain is a sharp shooting pain. Typically lumbar radicular pain is felt as a narrow band of pain down the length of the leg, both superficially and deep. The symptoms of lumbar radicular pain may change from one person to another, however, depending on which nerve root is affected in which person.
If the L5 nerve root in the L5-S1 lumbar region is compromised, for example, a typical symptom is big-toe numbness. Moving up the leg, the outside of the calf may feel like it is on fire and hip flexor pain may be so acute that it is extremely difficult for the person to move his or her leg. These are all areas that the sciatic nerve runs through.
Approximately half of the time, lumbar radicular pain can be controlled with simple analgesics. Significant and lasting pain relief can usually be achieved with epidural steroid injections. This involves injecting a steroid, and sometimes a painkiller, directly into the problem area in the low back to treat the inflammation that is irritating the nerve root to begin with.
Surgery is indicated for those people with progressive neurological deficits or severe lumbar radicular pain that is unresponsive to minimally invasive interventional pain relief measures.
The Pain Management Specialists you choose makes a difference.
- The Spine Diagnostic & Pain Treatment Center is the largest and one of the most trusted pain relief practices in Louisiana. Our dedication to advanced comprehensive care means you can rely on our state-of-the-art techniques and technology for quality outcomes.
- Our fellowship-trained, double-board-certified anesthesiologists and pain management specialists will spend as much time as necessary to make you feel comfortable. You’ll be greeted warmly, treated with respect and given answers to your questions in simple, easy-to-understand language.
- In addition to experienced Pain Management Specialists, we have an on-site physiatrist highly skilled in performing electrodiagnostic studies to test for nerve damage.
- When your doctors refer you to us, they’ll get timely reports and personal updates to make sure your doctor remains a vital part of your care. We will also make ourselves available to your doctor should they ever have questions or wish to discuss a case.
- The Spine Diagnostic & Pain Treatment Center offers minimally invasive interventional techniques to relieve pain and increase function and mobility without major surgery.
- We strive to keep our care convenient and affordable. We’re here to help as many people as we can.
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