The lumbar radicular syndrome: Symptoms and Treatment

Neurological diseases are one of those groups of diseases that often lead to disability or temporary disability.One of these diseases - radicular syndrome spine - quite often.What is it?

What radicular syndrome?

This term usually refers to a set of symptoms that develop as a result of exposure to the roots of the spinal cord.Most often, the disease leads to the development of osteochondrosis - radicular syndrome at it less intense than for injuries or herniated disc.There is a narrowing of the intervertebral foramen, which leads to the infringement of the nerves coming out.

main clinical signs or radicular syndrome criteria are:

  • pain.Characterized by intense aching pain in the area of ​​compression of the spinal cord coming out of the spine, extending to the limbs and sometimes the internal organs.
  • sensory disturbances.Developed during the coming nerves.Most often it manifests itself in the form of paresthesias (tingling feeling, chill).
  • innervated muscles atrophy and impaired movement.Deve
    loped by the defeat of nerves innervating a particular area.It leads to muscle weakness and loss of their functions.

pathogenesis of the disease

At the heart of radicular syndrome lies the defeat of the spine.Over time comes depletion of nutrients contained in the intervertebral cartilage.Aggravating factors for this condition are age, excess weight, weakness.The result is a so-called subsidence of the vertebrae.

spinal nerves emerge from the spinal canal through the intervertebral foramen.Due to the fact that the spine sags, there is a narrowing of the openings, which leads to a pinched nerve.

In the zone of compression develops aseptic inflammation that is characterized by swelling of the adjacent tissue.This swelling exacerbates the condition, which leads to increased pain.Pain spreading emerging nerves, because of what may be a picture of internal organ involvement (eg, radicular syndrome, thoracic spine can create a picture of angina or myocardial infarction).

causes leading to the development of the disease

addition to osteoarthritis, the development of the disease can cause other processes.Among them are:

  • intervertebral hernia.Due to the gap cartilage and exit the nucleus pulposus outside of the spinal column are pressed onto the nerves.
  • structural defects and diseases of the spine.The most common cause of radicular syndrome, beginning in early childhood.
  • injury.Usually, due to improper fusion of vertebrate appendages, there is compression of the nerve roots.
  • Infectious diseases of the spine, leading to the depletion of bone and cartilage tissue (osteomyelitis).

radicular syndrome often develops in obese sedentary people.

sometimes possible to its development as a result of excessively heavy physical work, or so-called "failure of the back."

In some cases, radicular syndrome develops due to hypothermia.

can cause radicular syndrome of some drugs (however, in this case, the syndrome will be called psevdokoreshkovogo).


As such there is no classification of radicular syndrome.Conventionally, clinicians are divided according to defeat his anatomical areas of the spine.According to this classification allocate radicular syndrome:

  • cervical spine.
  • thoracic.
  • Lumbar.

sacrum and coccyx affected osteochondrosis is quite rare, so these areas are not included in the classification.

Behind the scenes there is a classification of radicular syndrome by the presence of complications (complicated and uncomplicated).

sometimes emit forms of radicular syndrome, both acquired and congenital (but this classification is extremely rare, because most of the syndrome is most often purchased).

Among all these forms is the most widely used radicular syndrome of the lumbar spine.

reasons for the defeat of the department

Why is it most often affects this area?The reasons because of which develops the lumbar radicular syndrome following:

  • lower back account for the largest load.It is here that its redistribution from heavy physical work.In addition, lower back and is loaded with overlying departments of the trunk, since it helps them to maintain and position.
  • lumbar vertebrae formed large, forming a hole wide enough.Through them are large vessels and nerve plexus, which is fairly easy infringed as a result of violation of a shock-absorbing function of the intervertebral disc.
  • the lumbar Radicular syndrome often develops due to the fact that it is one of the most moving parts of the axial skeleton.Overly broad of range of motion easily lead to the displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other and cause the development of pain and pinched nerves.


If as a result of pinched nerve occurs radicular syndrome lumbar symptoms do not wait long.

The first and most common symptom is pain.She wears a sweep character appears suddenly, resulting in severe physical injury or operation.The gradual increase of pain is typical for osteochondrosis.This backache also be disturbed, but the intensity of the pain is not so high.

sensory disturbances usually accompanied by pain.It is broken on the side where there is a pinched nerves.The lumbar radicular syndrome usually is bilateral (osteochondrosis) .Chasche just decrease the sensitivity and pain threshold.Sometimes there may be paresthesia - perverted or wrong feelings.

Violation of muscle function can occur in the case where a long time there is a lumbar osteochondrosis.Radicular syndrome leads to muscle atrophy, loss of opportunities for active physical work, weakening the forces of muscle contractions.


diagnose the disease should be given the majority of the factors.First, we should pay attention to the patient's complaints, as it is based on the latest possible to speculate on the localization of the pathological process.

Supporting information during the inspection can give palpation finding areas of pain - will be felt locally muscle tension.Visually, you can find the slope of the patient's affected side (so he can reduce pain).

little information Complete blood count - may have only a relative increase in white blood cells due to the limited inflammation.

main advantage in the diagnosis of radicular syndrome have an MRI of the lumbar spine.This study allows to detect even the slightest infringement of the nerve and pinpoint localization process.However, the difficulty of carrying out imaging itself.MRI of the lumbar spine - a procedure quite costly, so it is not carried out all.

Treatment of radicular syndrome

What do you do when the disease developed?Can I be treated at home or better yet go to the hospital?

If you have yet to develop the lumbar radicular syndrome, the treatment it should start immediately and preferably in a hospital.

As with any kind of treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, this should include non-drug, drug therapy and surgery.

If symptoms do not have a significant impact on the life, can help the general methods - proper nutrition, avoidance of exercise, massage, relaxing hot tubs.

If, however, begins to disturb the lumbar radicular syndrome, treatment in the initial stages should include the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ("Nimesulide" "Diclofenac") orally or intramuscularly.If the intense pain begins to disturb, it recommended the use of vertebral blockades.When deterioration encouraged to seek an appointment with a neurologist or neurosurgeon to determine further treatment strategy.


According to many trauma surgeons, neurologists and physiotherapists treat some diseases of the musculoskeletal system is possible with the help of physiotherapy.

To resolve radicular syndrome often use electrophoresis, electric pulse currents.

Electrophoresis with some drugs can achieve effects such as:

  • Removal of the inflammatory process.
  • Eliminating pain.
  • Improve metabolism in the affected roots.
  • Recovery trophicity affected muscles and joints.

Using EIT (cardioversion) is aimed at relaxation of tight muscles, improving nutrition atrophied tissue tonic effect.

Also instrumental methods, and useful lessons in the pool or sessions of physiotherapy.

Treatment of the lumbar spine can be conducted with the help of acupuncture and chiropractic treatments.These techniques are not widely available in conventional medicine, but rather to help a lot of people.


main factor characterizing the radicular syndrome - the symptoms.Treatment in the surgical hospital is recommended when they begin to take on a menacing character.

main indications for surgery are:

  • intense pain, do not respond to NSAIDs and opioids.
  • Violation of the limb with complete loss of active movements.
  • Irreversible changes of bone and ligaments, leading to compression.
  • Complicated intervertebral hernia.
  • complete numbness of the limbs.

Operations are conducted in specialized clinics.Under anesthesia creates online access to the site of compression of the roots are removed impeding the normal position of the particle spine vertebra.When excision is performed has fallen hernia site.At present, the hernial radicular syndrome is increasingly used nucleoplasty - reduction or excision of the fallen with a small disk access.Complications of the disease

As mentioned, untimely treatment of the lumbar spine can lead to other other diseases.For example, major complications can act:

  • lameness.It develops due to the forced position of the body.Subsequently, it can lead to flat feet and a deterioration of the disease (vicious circle).
  • Mental state.Intense pain in the limbs and back will not give rest day and night.Against the background of fatigue may develop neuroses and psychoses.
  • ankylosis and joint contractures.The reason for their development is again a long stay in a certain position, and low activity.
  • In severe cases, nerve damage can lead to paralysis of the limbs.
  • onset of inflammation may retrograde to get into the spinal cord, causing picture meningism, infarction of the spinal cord or the increase in the prevalence of other roots.

disease prevention

In order to prevent the development of radicular syndrome, you should remember a few simple rules:

  • daily morning exercise.It helps to stretch your muscles, bring them in tone.
  • control excess weight.As has been said, it is a factor that worsens the disease.
  • Preventative massages.Assist in the warm-up muscles and vertebral joints, prevent the displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other, and do not give a drop of intervertebral discs from his bed.
  • Proper nutrition.One of the factors in the development of degenerative disc disease - a decrease in the nutrient content of the cartilage.Competently composed diet allows you to pause during the process.
  • pool.It reduces the load on the spine, along the way leading to tone the muscles.
  • Proper distribution of work and rest.This rule avoids fatigue and injuries during physical labor.