lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica
Radiculopathy as well as sciatica is the radiation of
pain to the lower extremity. It is the result of pressure on a nerve
root, usually by a herniated lumbar disc. Besides a disc, other
sources of compression may be arthritic spurs, spinal stenosis and foraminal
stenosis.
lumbar nerve roots, their distributions, and the
discs which commonly affect them
L1 sciatica: T12/L1 disc; L1 root supplies sensation
to the thigh and the anterior scrotal or anterior labial branches, as the
ilioinguinal nerve. The lumbar disc which would typically affect this
nerve is the T12/L1 disc centrally, or the L1/L2 disc laterally in the
neural foramen.
L2 sciatica: L1/L2 disc; L2 root supplies sensation to
the front and side of the thigh, as the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
The lumbar disc which would typically affect this nerve is the L1/L2 disc
centrally, or the L2/L3 disc laterally in the neural foramen.
L3 sciatica: L2/L3 disc; L3 root supplies sensation to
the front and side of the thigh, as the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
The lumbar disc which would typically affect this nerve is the L2/L3
disc centrally, or the L3/L4 disc laterally in the neural foramen.
L4 sciatica: L3/L4 disc: L4 root supplies sensation to
the anterior lower thigh. The lumbar disc which would typically affect
this nerve is the L3/L4 disc centrally, or the L4/L5 disc laterally in the
neural foramen.
L5 sciatica: L4/L5 disc: L5 root supplies sensation to
the top of the foot and the great toe. The lumbar disc which would
typically affect this nerve is the L4/L5 disc centrally, or the L5/S1 disc
laterally in the neural foramen.
S1 sciatica: L5/Sa disc: S1 root supplies sensation to
the outside of the foot, and the small toe. The lumbar disc
which would typically affect this nerve is the L5/S1 centrally. There
is no S1/S2 disc to herniate laterally to affect it.
S2 sciatica: no disc to affect this root individually.
Supplies rectal sensation.
S3 sciatica: no disc to affect this root individually.
Supplies rectal sensation.
S4 sciatica: no disc to affect this root individually.
Supplies rectal sensation.
|
