Frequent neck, shoulder, and lower back pain could be a sign of nerve root disease.

Pain, numbness, or tingling sensations occur when nerves originating from the spinal cord are compressed or damaged, often due to spinal conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or bone spurs. These symptoms can lead to paralysis or sensory disturbances in the affected nerve region.

Causes of radiculopathy

The most common causes are herniated discs, bone changes due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or osteoarthritis, particularly in the neck and lower back.

Radicular disease can occur when changes in the back cause nerves to be compressed or damaged. This can happen if:

The vertebrae form spurs called bone spurs, which compress nearby nerves. (People with a condition called "spinal stenosis" often experience this problem.)

The discs between the vertebrae can rupture and bulge, causing them to compress or irritate nearby nerves. (A ruptured and bulging disc is called a "herniated disc.")

Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, infections, inflammation, or tumors, can damage nerves near the spinal cord.

Damage caused by radiculopathy

All nerve roots can be affected, but the most common are the cervical and lumbosacral nerve roots.

• Cervical radiculopathy: Patients with this condition often experience pain, numbness, and paresthesia along the distribution of the affected nerve root. They frequently experience muscle spasms and neck pain, radiating to the trapezius muscle and the area between the shoulder blades. Those with this type of radiculopathy may also experience pain, numbness, or tingling down one or both arms.

• Lumbar-sacroiliac radiculopathy: People with this type of radiculopathy experience pain, numbness, or tingling in the buttocks or down the leg, often worsening in cold and damp weather. This condition occurs when one or more nerves running from the spine to the leg are compressed or damaged. People sometimes refer to the symptoms of this type of radiculopathy as "sciatica."

Doctors can diagnose spinal radiculopathy through a clinical examination based on medical history and physical examination. Most patients improve with rest, care, or medication, so sometimes imaging studies are unnecessary.

If the pain persists, the doctor may request selective diagnostic tests such as:

Image: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Electromyography (also known as "EMG"): In EMG testing, technicians examine the electrical impulses that travel through nerves to a part of the body.

Treatment of radiculopathy

Most patients with nerve root damage who are diagnosed early can be cured with conservative methods without surgery. Treatment depends on the severity and cause of the nerve root compression.

Treatment options may include:

• Analgesic;
• Muscle relaxants;
• Avoid activities that worsen the pain;
• Injecting medication to numb the back or reduce swelling;
• Physical therapy for specific and prolonged exercises;
• Surgery. Your doctor may recommend surgery if you have severe symptoms that affect your quality of life and do not respond to medical or home treatments.

In summary: If left untreated, radiculopathy can progress and cause lasting effects on mobility and health. If you experience sudden paralysis or pain in the neck or back, seek medical attention for the best possible care and treatment.