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# Clinical Presentation ## Common Symptoms * **Pain:** Often described as sharp, stabbing, or burning. * **Sensory Changes:** Numbness, tingling, or altered sensation in the affected area. * **Weakness:** Muscle weakness or paralysis can occur in severe cases. * **Bowel or Bladder Dysfunct...

# Clinical Presentation ## Common Symptoms * **Pain:** Often described as sharp, stabbing, or burning. * **Sensory Changes:** Numbness, tingling, or altered sensation in the affected area. * **Weakness:** Muscle weakness or paralysis can occur in severe cases. * **Bowel or Bladder Dysfunction:** Incontinence or difficulty with urination or defecation (cauda equina syndrome). ## Symptoms Based on Location ### Cervical Radiculopathy * Neck pain that may radiate into the shoulder, arm, and hand * Sensory changes (numbness, tingling) in the arm and hand * Weakness in the muscles of the arm and hand * Possible loss of reflexes in the upper extremity ### Thoracic Radiculopathy * Chest wall or upper abdominal pain that may wrap around the torso * Sensory changes in the chest wall or abdomen * Muscle weakness in the chest or abdomen (rare) ### Lumbar Radiculopathy * Low back pain that radiates into the buttock, leg, and foot (sciatica) * Sensory changes (numbness, tingling) in the leg and foot * Weakness in the muscles of the leg and foot * Possible loss of reflexes in the lower extremity (e.g., ankle jerk reflex) * Cauda equina syndrome (rare but serious): bowel or bladder dysfunction, saddle anesthesia (numbness in the groin area), and leg weakness ## Diagnostic Evaluation ### Physical Examination * Neurological examination to assess sensory function, motor strength, and reflexes * Provocative tests (e.g., Spurling's test for cervical radiculopathy, straight leg raise test for lumbar radiculopathy) ### Imaging Studies * **X-rays:** To evaluate for bony abnormalities, such as fractures or arthritis * **MRI:** The preferred imaging modality for visualizing soft tissues, such as the spinal cord, nerve roots, and intervertebral discs * **CT scan:** Can be used to evaluate bony structures and spinal stenosis * **Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS):** To assess nerve function and identify the specific nerve root(s) affected ## Differential Diagnosis * Peripheral neuropathy * Muscle strain or sprain * Arthritis * Spinal stenosis * Multiple sclerosis * Diabetic neuropathy * Herpes zoster (shingles) * Tumor ## Treatment ### Conservative Management * **Pain Medications:** NSAIDs, acetaminophen, opioids (for severe pain) * **Muscle Relaxants:** To relieve muscle spasm * **Physical Therapy:** Exercise, stretching, and manual therapy to improve range of motion, strength, and posture * **Education:** Instruction on proper body mechanics and activity modification * **Injections:** Epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation around the nerve roots ### Surgical Management * Laminectomy: Removal of a portion of the vertebral bone to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots * Discectomy: Removal of a herniated disc * Spinal Fusion: Joining two or more vertebrae together to stabilize the spine