Radiculopathy

As a radiculopathy or radiculitis (Latin Radicula, "little root " and Greek πάθεια, Pathia, " disease " or - ίτις, -itis, " inflammation " ), also known as a Wurzelneuritis or radicular syndrome is an irritation or damage to the nerve roots called. It can manifest itself in disturbances of sensation, pain or paralysis. The symptoms can be acute or chronic.

Symptoms

Noticeable symptoms are usually abnormal sensations (tingling, pain, numbness ) in the area of ​​the affected nerve root. According to the severity of the disorder in the affected area can also be reduced sensitivity, turn the motor, and it can even have the reflexes are absent.

Strong Pain has restricted the freedom of movement of the patient is often a massive. In chronified complaints occur frequently depressive moods.

Is limited, the fault is not a single root ( Monoradikulitis ), but recorded it several nerve roots ( polyradiculitis ) and especially those who use the diaphragm ( human roots C3 to C5 ) or supply the auxiliary respiratory muscles, so is due to impending respiratory failure, acute life-threatening, and it must be kept for Intubationsbereitschaft may become necessary ventilation.

Causes

The causes of radiculopathy can be extremely diverse. This is especially pathological changes associated with the spine ( " cervical / lumbar radiculopathy " - damage to the nerve roots in the neck or lumbar) are related, such as:

• Degenerative changes in the bones ( osteopathy )
• Inflammatory changes in the bone ( Osteitiden )
• Herpes zoster, Lyme disease or other autoimmune or infectious nerve root inflammation
• A herniated disc
• A bone tumor
• A hematoma

Dissemination

The radiculopathy is particularly common in middle and older age. Often it is the reason for the inability to work.