Lumbar radiculopathy in adults: Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and approaches to treatment
https://doi.org/10.21518/ms2025-449
Abstract
Low back pain is considered a major public health issue. Radiculopathy describes irritation of nerve roots which can be a result of various pathologies, including disc herniation, bone spurs, spinal instability, and trauma. As regards lumbar radiculopathy, which develops due to disc herniation, it should be noted that this is a pathology, in which any changes in the intervertebral disc are caused by tears of the outer annulus and protrusion of the nucleus pulposis. Clinical manifestations include impaired pain, thermal, vibratory, and other sensitivity (including paresthesia, hyperor hypoalgesia, allodynia, and hyperpathy) in the respective dermatome, decreased or absent tendon reflexes which act through the specific spinal cord segment, as well as hypotonia and weakness of the muscles innervated by the root. Studies show that the prevalence of lumbar radiculopathy is up to 5%, and it is more common in men aged 30 to 50 years. The most important risk factors for radiculopathy with underlying intervertebral disc herniation include age, acute trauma, heavy lifting, twisting, bending, driving, smoking, pregnancy, diabetes, high body mass index, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and a family history. Given the pathophysiology and etiology of the disease, a clinical interview and a series of diagnostic tests are highly relevant to confirm the presence of this clinical condition. Many types of non-pharmacological, pharmacological, or surgical treatments are available for patients with this condition. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered first-line management for pain relief.
About the Authors
N. V. Pizova
Yaroslavl State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Nataliia V. Pizova, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor of the Department of Nervous Diseases with Medical Genetics and Neurosurgery
5, Revolutsionnaya St., Yaroslavl, 150000
A. V. Pizov
Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushinsky
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Aleksandr V. Pizov, Cand. Sci. (Biol.), Associate Professor of the Department of Methods of Teaching Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Elementary Schools
108/1, Respublikanskaya St., Yaroslavl, 150000
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Pizova NV, Pizov AV. Lumbar radiculopathy in adults: Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and approaches to treatment. Meditsinskiy sovet = Medical Council. 2025;(22):66-72. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21518/ms2025-449
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