Radiculopathy (Spinal Pinched Nerve)

Houston Methodist spine specialists diagnose and treat radiculopathy, a condition caused by a compressed or irritated nerve root in the spine. This pressure can cause pain, numbness or weakness that travels away from your spine, such as down your arm or leg.

Whether your symptoms start in your neck, mid-back or lower back, getting the right diagnosis early can help prevent worsening nerve damage and speed recovery.

Our multidisciplinary team of orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons works together to create a personalized care plan. Many patients can be treated without surgery, and when needed, we offer advanced surgical options, including minimally invasive techniques.

What Is Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy — often called a “spinal pinched nerve” — is a condition that occurs when a nerve root in the spine becomes compressed or damaged, leading to pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that radiates along the path of the affected nerve.

“Pinched nerve” can happen in different parts of the body, but radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the spine is irritated or compressed. Because these nerves extend beyond the spine, symptoms often radiate outward, causing pain, tingling or weakness in other areas. Inflammation around the nerve can intensify these symptoms, making early evaluation important.

Common Causes of Radiculopathy

Most often, radiculopathy is caused by changes in the spine or surrounding tissues creating nerve compression or irritation at the nerve root. Common underlying causes include:

• Herniated or bulging disk
• Bone spurs (osteophytes)
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disk disease
• Spondylolisthesis or spondylosis
• Thickening of spinal ligaments
• Injury or trauma to the spine

Signs & Symptoms of Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy symptoms can quickly progress from mild discomfort to pain that disrupts your daily routine. Getting evaluated early helps your care team identify the cause and start treatment that relieves pressure on the nerve and gets you back to feeling like yourself again.

Radiating Pain

Radiculopathy can cause sharp, burning or shooting pain that travels along a nerve pathway. For example, pain may move from your neck down your arm, or from your lower back down your leg.

Numbness & Tingling

Nerve root compression can cause numbness or tingling, including persistent “pins and needles” sensation or areas of reduced sensation in the arms, hands, legs or feet.

Muscle Weakness

In some cases, radiculopathy can interfere with nerve signals to certain muscles. This may affect grip strength, the ability to lift objects or stability while walking.

Reflex Changes

Reduced reflexes in an affected arm or leg can be a sign that a nearby nerve root is irritated or compressed.

How Radiculopathy Is Diagnosed

Diagnosing radiculopathy starts with your medical history and a physical exam. Your doctor may recommend imaging tests and/or nerve studies to confirm the diagnosis, identify the affected nerve root and rule out other causes of your symptoms.

Your doctor may use one or more of the following tests:

• X-ray – uses a small dose of radiation to evaluate bone alignment and identify bone spurs or disk space narrowing
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – uses magnets and radio waves to visualize soft tissues, including disks, nerves and the spinal cord
• Computed tomography (CT) scan or CT myelogram – creates detailed cross-sectional images, especially helpful when MRI isn’t an option
• Discography (discogram) – an X-ray-guided diagnostic procedure used to help pinpoint which disks may be contributing to pain and clarify CT or MRI findings
• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies – measure electrical activity in muscles and nerves to help confirm nerve root involvement and rule out other conditions