Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy causes and symptoms

When nerves become compressed from any condition (i.e., disk herniation or stenosis), pain is referred down to the arms, chest or legs in very specific patterns called dermatomes. Often, patients will have associated symptoms in a similar pattern such and numbness, tingling or "pins and needles", or weakness in specific muscle groups. The presence of radiculopathy is one of the telltale symptoms that a more serious condition is present rather than a muscular strain. While the pattern of symptoms can help a doctor tell where the pain is coming from, frequently, more advanced imaging, such as MRI or CT scan is needed which can be arranged at the Northwest Disk Replacement Institute.