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Radiculopathy
(pinched nerve)

Everything you need to know

A painful, yet, fairly common problem that people can have is nerve pinching pain, or radiculopathy. In the lower back, it can also be referred to as sciatica when pain radiates down the leg.

Recovery recommendations

The overwhelming majority of pinched nerve episodes will get better without aggressive treatment and will respond well to the conservative protocol of anti-inflammatory medication, relative rest, activity modification, and physical therapy. On occasion, this type of injury might require more aggressive intervention if numbness, tingling, or weakness is involved. If so, more advanced imaging may be ordered such as MRI of the cervical or lumbar spine to better stage the underlying processes contributing to the radiculopathy. Treatment is then tailored to fit the individual needs of the patient.

When is surgery needed?

Only a small percentage of patients with a pinched nerve or radiculopathy require surgery. Spine surgery is typically recommended only after a period of nonsurgical treatment has not released painful symptoms. Advanced, minimally invasive surgeries using state of the art techniques are utilized at Ortho Spine Life to ensure quick and easy recovery.