Radiculopaty Treatment

Radiculopathy Treatment

Nerves run from the spinal column to all parts of the body. When the spinal nerve roots experience damage, disease, or dysfunction, it’s called radiculopathy. More commonly called a “pinched nerve,” radiculopathy often occurs when a herniated disc, bone spur, or injury puts pressure on these spinal nerve roots, causing pain or reduced mobility. Our board-certified orthopaedic surgeons are extensively trained in non-surgical and surgical radiculopathy techniques, and we will recommend minimally invasive methods foremost. Our customized treatment plans are designed to optimize your results and reduce recovery time.

Our skilled orthopaedic surgeons offer a comprehensive range of treatment options that will be tailored to suit your needs. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Radiculopathy Procedures

In many cases, non-surgical treatment for a pinched nerve can provide significant relief of the symptoms. Depending on the source of your condition, a combination of minimally invasive techniques may be recommended. In the event a conservative approach proves ineffective, our orthopaedists will develop a surgical plan that can relieve pain and restore mobility as quickly, effectively, and safely as possible.

Non-Surgical: Physical therapy, rest, over-the-counter (OTC) medication, prescription medication, and oral steroids or injections are the most common non-surgical treatment options recommended for radiculopathy. If the condition affects the neck, a brace or collar may be recommended to limit motion while healing.

Discectomy: If a herniated disc is the cause of the pinched nerve, a discectomy can be used to remove the damaged disc and the affected tissues. If combined with a fusion, a bone graft will be secured to the adjacent vertebrae to help restore spinal alignment. Minimally invasive microdiscectomy may be another option, which is a procedure that uses a type of microscope to better view the treatment area and reduces the size of the incisions needed.

Laminoforaminotomy: A variation on the laminectomy procedure, a laminoforaminotomy involves removing a portion of the lamina, the bony cover that shields the back of the spinal cord, and widening the opening of the foramen. The foramen is the bony opening in the spine where the nerves branch out from the spinal cord to the other areas of the body.

Artificial Disc Replacement: Artificial disc replacement is an advanced approach that could provide significant relief. In this procedure, the affected disc is removed and replaced with an artificial disc made of titanium plates and a polymer cushion. This technique allows for greater mobility and flexibility than a traditional fusion.

Would you like to know more? Contact our office today for more information or to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced orthopaedists.