Are you experiencing pain that radiates from your lower back into your leg? If yes, this may be due to lumbar nerve root impingement, which is a condition that occurs when spinal nerve roots get compressed and irritated, causing inflammation and different symptoms. It can be acute or chronic, but leaving it untreated can damage the nerves and make the symptoms permanent. Learn everything you should know about Lumbar nerve root impingement in this FAQs section. Visit the best Pain Management Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org. to schedule an appointment with us.

FAQs on Lumbar Nerve Root Impingement

These FAQs contain comprehensive information about lumbar root impingement.

1. What is lumbar nerve root impingement?

Ans. Lumbar nerve root impingement is also known as lumbar radiculopathy or sciatica. It is a condition that occurs when the nerve root in the lower back gets inflamed, causing pain, numbness, weakness, or irritation in the back and down in the legs. Mostly, it is caused when the sciatic nerve roots get compressed in your spine.

• What causes lumbar nerve root impingement?

Ans. Lumbar nerve root impingement happens when the spinal nerve roots (including the sciatic nerve) are irritated or compressed by one of the many conditions, like:

• Herniated disc with nerve root compression (causes 90% of cases).
• Lesions of the intervertebral discs and degenerative disease of the spine (another common cause).
• Tumors (less common).
• Lumbar spinal stenosis (a condition that narrows the spinal canal and compresses the surrounding nerves)- caused by congenital abnormalities or degenerative changes.
• Scoliosis (when the nerves of one side of the spine get compressed by the abnormal curve of the spine).
• A damaged disk in the lumbar spine can press on nearby nerve roots.
• Underlying diseases such as osteomyelitis, diabetes, etc.

In most cases, in patients under 50 years, this condition is caused by a herniated disc, and after the age of 50, it mostly happens due to degenerative changes in the spine (stenosis of the intravertebral foramen).

• What are the risk factors of lumbar nerve root impingement?

Ans. Several risk factors increase the risk of lumbar nerve root impingement, such as:

• Age between 45 to 64 years
• Smoking
• Mental stress
• Driving (vibration of the whole body)
• Strenuous physical activity (frequent lifting)
• Extra body weight
• Poor posture
• Injury
• What are the symptoms of lumbar nerve root impingement?

Ans. Lumbar nerve root impingement causes pain that radiates from the lower back and goes down into the buttocks in legs. Other symptoms may include:

• Pain traveling below the knees to the foot or toes.
• Numbness and weakness in the affected area.
• Muscle spasms.
• Low back pain.
• Raising the leg starts to increase pain.
• Decreased range of motion.
• How is lumbar nerve root impingement diagnosed?

Ans. To diagnose the lumbar nerve root impingement, the doctor performs a physical exam to check your symptoms and review your medical history. During the physical exam, they check the movement in the spine, problems with balance, along with extremity reflexes, muscle weakness, sensory loss, or abnormal reflexes that may involve spinal cord involvement. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may order some imaging tests to find the cause of lumbar nerve root impingement.

• X-rays: This imaging test helps to identify trauma, osteoarthritis, or early signs of a tumor or infection.
• EMG: This imaging test can detect radiculopathies but has limited utility in diagnosis. It can be used in diagnosing suspected nerve root involvement in patients who experience unexplained leg pain.
• MRI: This is used to check whether disc herniation and nerve root compression are present in patients who are suspected to have lumbosacral radiculopathy.
• What are the treatment options for lumbar nerve root impingement?

Ans. Treatment of lumbar nerve root impingement depends on the location, cause, and overall health. Usually, the first line of treatment uses non-surgical options, such as:

• Medications: Over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, or muscle relaxants can manage your symptoms. If these medications don’t work, the doctor will prescribe stronger medication.
• Physical therapy: It involves exercises or stretches guided by a physical therapist to stabilize the spine and promote more open space for spinal nerve roots. It also reduces pain and increases movement and function.
• Steroid injections: Epidural steroid injections and nerve root injections are administered directly into the affected area with the help of an X-ray for precision and accuracy. It helps to reduce swelling and pain that radiates to the hips or down the leg. Its effects can last for 2 to 3 months or longer.
• Weight loss program: If you’re overweight or obese, losing weight can reduce the pressure on the affected area and relieve symptoms.
• Limits on positions and activities: Certain positions and activities can increase pain, such as lying in bed or forward movement. You should limit all these positions or activities for a brief period.

If your symptoms don’t improve within 1 to 6 weeks (about 1 and a half months) of nonsurgical treatment, or your symptoms get severe, surgical intervention is recommended. The most common method used for lumbar nerve root impingement is discectomy, which focuses on removing the disc herniation and some part of the disc. Spinal fusion is another option, which is sometimes considered after a simple discectomy, where, after removing the damaged part, the spinal disc is joined together with the help of screws, pins, and plates. Several other surgical treatments used for patients with a disc herniation include:

• Chemonucleolysis
• Percutaneous discectomy
• Microdiscectomy
• What are the complications of lumbar nerve root impingement?

Ans. If you leave lumbar nerve root impingement untreated, over time, the irritated and inflamed nerve may become damaged and cause long-lasting numbness or weakness in your legs and feet that affects your quality of life. That’s why you should seek medical help when you start noticing its symptoms.

Lumbar nerve root impingement is a condition that occurs when your spinal nerve is compressed, causing symptoms like radiating pain, weakness, and numbness that go down the leg. If left untreated, it can damage the compressed nerves, which can permanently worsen your symptoms. That’s why, when you notice the symptoms of lumbar nerve root impingement, seek medical help to manage the condition.

Need help with lumbar nerve root impingement? Visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!! If you’re ready to take the next step in managing your pain, we recommend consulting with us to explore the right treatments or therapies for you. Always listen to your body and adjust your daily routine to prioritize your well-being. Visit Doral Health & Wellness Pain Relief Department in Brooklyn, to get professional help and guidance on how to manage your problem. Call us on + 1-718-367-2555 to get a consultation. If you need help learning coping methods, register your information and make direct contact with our doctors at https://yuz88hfiyh7.typeform.com/Doralintake. Log on to www.doralhw.org. Or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.