Aches and pains are something we all deal with from time to time. They often are minor and resolve with over the counter medications or rest. We chalk it up to old injuries or age and search the internet to diagnose ourselves, but persistent pain should be evaluated by a doctor.
Lumbar Radiculopathy
People commonly have pain in the lower back which may radiate down to the buttocks, thigh, calf and even into the foot. This type of pain could be due to lumbar radiculopathy, when a nerve from the spine is irritated or compressed (pinched). Lumbar radiculopathy is typically diagnosed with physical exam and thorough medical and health history, as well as an MRI of the lumbar spine. The MRI can reveal which nerve is involved and can help pinpoint the cause of the pain. The doctors at NS2 are committed to finding the source of your pain and pursuing the treatment options that are best for you.
Treatment
Fortunately, lumbar radiculopathy is often successfully treated without surgery. For most people, rest and oral medications such as steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories will help symptoms to resolve within 2-4 weeks. If symptoms persist after conservative treatment with oral medications and rest, one of our Spinal Intervention Specialists at NS2 may be able to treat you with an epidural steroid injection to treat the inflammation directly. For those whose symptoms still persist, talk with your NS2 doctor about your surgical options. Many patients enjoy excellent pain relief with a small, outpatient surgical procedure to relieve pressure on the affected nerve.
What Should I Do?
Lumbar radiculopathy is not something to suffer through. The doctors at NewSouth NeuroSpine are ready to help treat your symptoms with medical or spinal intervention and even minimally invasive surgery, if needed. As always, the surgeons at NS2 will try to get you feeling better without surgery, if possible, and at each step will recommend for you what we would do for ourselves or our own family members. If you are struggling with lower back or leg pain, call NS2 today and schedule an appointment for evaluation.
