Is it a slipped disc? Pinched nerve? Sciatica? Leg Pain May Stem from pinched nerve in the low back
Last updated Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Prognosis and impactsPrognosis Back pain,
including lumbar radiculitis, may be either an acute or a chronic condition. If
the symptoms are chronic, pain may wax and wane irregularly for the patient.
Patients
that have a normal neurologic (nerve function and reflexes) exam and patients
with a neurologic deficit – weakness, loss of sensation, loss of bowel or
bladder control- can both have similar levels of pain.
Treating
back pain early, soon after it first emerges, tends to result in better ability
to manage the condition and optimize function. Waiting longer for treatment may
result in a longer and more difficult treatment course. Lethality Lumbar
radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine, causing pain,
tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) itself is not deadly.
If a patient were to ignore signs that warrant immediate medical attention –
loss of bowel or bladder control, back pain from a fall or other injury, or
numbness in one or both legs – those symptoms could progress and contribute to
a patient's paralysis.Pain Lumbar radiculitis
can cause pain, tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs.
The symptoms can range from mild to severe over periods of hours, days or
longer. Pain can fluctuate depending on a patient's physical position (sitting,
standing, lying down) and activity.
Patients typically can accomplish daily tasks
and manage discomfort with treatments of physical therapy, anti-inflammatory
and other pain medication, and epidural injection of steroids.Debilitation Lumbar
radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine, causing pain,
tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) generally is
not debilitating. Patients typically can accomplish daily tasks and manage
discomfort through a combination of physical therapy, anti-inflammatory and
other pain medication, and injection of steroids.Curability Yes, it is
curable by physical therapy, oral medications, epidural steroid injections
(cortisone injections) into the spine, and, sometimes, surgery.
Fertility and pregnancy Lumbar
radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine, causing pain,
tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) should have no
effect on a patient's ability to have children or get pregnant.Independence Lumbar
radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine, causing pain,
tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) may, during
episodes of acute pain, reduce a patient's independence. For instance, it might
prove too painful to try to drive a car with a clutch, or to walk significant
distances. Tasks such as taking out the trash or carrying groceries may be
intermittently difficult or impossible, but usually patients are not
debilitated for long spans.Mobility Patients
with lumbar radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine,
causing pain, tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) may
experience reduced mobility during episodes of acute pain but generally there
is no long-term impact on a patient's mobility.Daily activities Intermittently
and during periods of acute pain, lumbar radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve
root in the lower spine, causing pain, tingling, numbness or a burning
sensation in the back and legs) might reduce a patient's ability to participate
in a household chores and other activities. For instance, tasks such as taking
out the trash or carrying groceries might require help, and patients might need
to modify their physical activities. Usually, though, these activity
modifications do not occur for extended spans.Energy Indirectly,
lumbar radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine, causing
pain, tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) could contribute
to fatigue or metabolic change. For instance, when pain causes a poor night of
sleep, or a patient’s inability to exercise for a couple of days results in
lethargy, radiculitis could be an indirect cause.Diet Radiculitis
(inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine, causing pain, tingling,
numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) typically does not
correlate with a patient’s diet. Being overweight, however, can contribute to
back pain; for instance, being overweight could create pain in a person’s
knees, and a resulting change in gait could adversely affect the spine. In such
instances, or if excess weight contributes to back pain, a change in diet,
accompanied by exercise, could benefit the patient.Relationships Lumbar
radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine, causing pain,
tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) is unlikely to
have direct implications on relationships, though it could affect a person’s
demeanor or their activity level – and thereby affect relationships with
others.Surgery for Lumbar Radiculitis at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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