Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy (from Latin radicula — root and Greek pathos — disease, disorder) is a clinical neurological syndrome resulting from compression, chemical irritation, or traumatic damage to the spinal nerve root at its exit from the vertebral canal.

Etiology and pathophysiology

Each spinal nerve is formed by the fusion of the anterior (motor) and posterior (sensory) roots. These structures exit the spine through narrow intervertebral foramina. The most common cause of their damage is the disco-medullary conflict—physical compression of the root by an intervertebral disc herniation.

Under conditions of acute compression, venous outflow within the root is immediately disrupted, leading to local edema and tissue hypoxia. Aseptic immune inflammation is triggered by the contact of the nerve with the nucleus pulposus of the disc. These processes block normal axoplasmic flow within the nerve fiber, leading to impairment of signal conduction.

Clinical significance

Radiculopathy is characterized by the classical clinical triad of symptoms. Firstly, acute, shooting or burning pain that strictly follows the course of the specific nerve’s innervation (dermatome). Secondly, sensory disturbances such as numbness or paresthesia in the same region. Thirdly, motor impairments such as weakness of specific muscle groups (myotome) and reduced tendon reflexes.

Diagnosis is confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, which visualizes the compression site, and electroneuromyography, which assesses the degree of fiber damage. Treatment begins with alleviating inflammation through medical blockades, and if ineffective, requires surgical removal of the herniated disc or osteophyte.