It is quite possible that inás of an occasionóHave you ever heard of the radiculopathyía lumbar, although it must be taken into account that in order to understand in whaté consists of and how to deal with it, Some preliminary aspects must be taken into account..
To begin with, it is important to know that a raíz nervous is the structure found as a transition elementón between the méspinal cord and peripheral nervesérich. Will beíz is made up of nerve fibers, which in turn divide to create the so-called peripheral nervesérich. It's coolínerve cells supply nerve fibers to different nerves.
In most of the occasions in which it is assured that one suffers from a ciática, what it really is is a radiculopathyía in some raíz that supplies nerve fibers to the nerve. Una raíz nerve has motor and sensory fibers, being each of these raíresponsible for the movement of about músculus in particular, receiving informationón about the sensitivity of some parts of the body in particular.
Index
Whaté is the radiculopathyía lumbar
A radiculopathyía lumbar it is an injuryón of one or several raínervous breakdown in the lower back, there are different reasons whyágive them a raíz can become inflamed, as is the case of suffering a herniated disc, a canal stenosis or a tumor.
In those cases where a raínervous z is compressed, if it produces an altercationón from microcirculationón of nerve fibers, what makes the células cannot get to eliminate the oxidized substances, and this causes an increase in inflammatory mediators. In most cases it is caused by a dayñor on the raíz for compressionón and the inflammationón.
Sísymptoms of radiculopathyía lumbar
in functionón de la raíz that has been affected we can find one or the other síntomas, as cada raíz has motor and sensory functions. In this way, depending onón of witháhe is affected, meetán affected at the same time about músculus in particular, causing sensitivity to be altered in certain areas of the leg.
Nevertheless, something they have in commonún all radiculopathyíso are the charactersísticas of pain, since it is in all cases a dolor neuropático, which is characterized by its great intensity, with a feelingónumber of burnsón, in radiating pain. In this way, it is possible to feel the pain in areas far from where the lesion occursón, which in this case occurs at the lumbar level and the pain is felt in the leg.
in addition, a characteríThings to keep in mind about neuropathic painático is that the intensity of the pain is not proportional to the cause that originates it.
types of radiculopathyías
in functionón de la raíz nerve that is affected we can find the following problems:
Radiculopathyía L1 y L2
It is seen when the ra are affectedíL1 and L2 nerve cessation, which means that there is a déficit en la musculature que flexiona la cadera. The area in which you will haveían sensory alterations beíto the groin itselfí like the regionón más thigh high.
Radiculopathyía L3
In this case it is characterized by showing pain in the inner thigh and groin, this being the area in which the affected sensitivity is found. Weakness is counted on to be able to straighten the knee así how to put your legs together. Además, in this radiculopathyía highlights the absence of the knee jerk.
Radiculopathyía L4
In this case the pain is localized to the inner aspect of the leg and the anterior aspect of the thigh, I sufferedéhaving difficulties when proceeding to stretch the knee.
Radiculopathyía L5
In this case the pain starts in the buttock, the back of the thigh and down the lateral aspect of the leg to the dorsum of the foot, ending in the big toe of the same. The weakness in this case is suffered when moving the ankle and being able to stretch the first of the toes.
Radiculopathyía S1
This radiculopathyía is characterized by pain that starts in the buttock, así like the back of the thigh, the external aspect of the leg and foot by the area of the fifth toe. In this case existá difficulty standing on your toes. when you suffer, the reflection disappears hereíleo.
When an affectation occursóno of the raíces L5 and S1 we talk about what we eatúnmind is called ciática.
Radiculopathyía S2-S3
In this case you suffer from pain in the back of the thigh, the buttock and the regionón perineal. This can be associated with alterations in exercise control.ínteres.
Treatment of a radiculopathyía lumbar
In general, when we talk about a radiculopathyía lumbar we are facing a benign process that tends to evolve favorably. Nevertheless, The treatment depends on the cause, since it is not the same for a fracture as it is for a herniated disc or a tumor.
In the case of a radiculopathicífor a herniated disc, a conservative initial treatment is recommended, based on the use of physical therapy treatments, anti-inflammatory, analésick, TENS, neuromodulación… In a second step you will findían aquellas tétechniques performed by the unit of pain such as blocks with anestéphysical and corticosteroids O ra radio frequencyíz nervous. If conservative treatment does not work, there will beíwhat to bet on víto wantúrgica.
In the case of a fracture, it is necessary to assess whether there is anyún fragment type óseo compress the raíz, and on many occasions surgery is neededíin para, free usón de la raíz compressed and restore así the shape of the vértebra.
Treatment of radiculopathiesías produced by tumors is más complex. It must be assessed whether it is a goalástasis or primary tumor, if it is possible to carry out a surgeryícurative or if the tumor isá extended and only surgery can be resorted to.íto s controlíntomas. In this type of patient it is necessary to perform an analgesicáexhaustive lysis of the tumor to know the different treatment options to carry out.
