Condition- Radiculopathy

Question 1

How can you distinguish between cord compression and radiculopathy?

Answer 1

UMN signs are not seen downstream of the lesion in patients with radiculopathy

Question 2

What is radiculopathy?

Answer 2

Symptoms occuring due to compression of a nerve at or near the root as it exits the spinal cord

Question 3

List some of the causes of radiculopathy

Answer 3

• Herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Tumour, infection
• Spinal stenosis

Question 4

List some of the presenting symptoms of Radiculopathy

Answer 4

• MOTOR:
  
  • Loss of motor function to muscles supplied by that nerve root
  • LMN signs (no UMN below lesion)
• SENSORY: DERMATOMAL PATTERN
  
  • Pain/electrical sensation
  • Numbness/ tingling
  • loss of position/vibration sense

Question 5

What syndrome is caused by compression of lumbosacral nerve root compression? and how does it present

Answer 5

SCIATICA

• paraesthesias down lower back and ipsilateral leg
• weakness of calf muscles

Question 6

What is Lasegue’s sign? (Sciatica)

Answer 6

Straight leg test- pain in distribution of sciatic nerve reproduced on flexion of straight leg at the hip between 30-70

Question 7

Which investigations could you do on someone with radiculopathy?

Answer 7

• MRI to visualise disc herniation
• EMG for nerve function
• nerve conduction studies