Radiculitis: What It Is, Where It Hurts, and What Types Exist

The pain starts in the lower back, passes through the buttock, and extends down the back of the leg — sharp, burning, sometimes with tingling in the foot. A person searches for the word that describes this and most often finds "radiculitis." Let's break down what this word means, exactly where it hurts, and when a conversation about pain stops being a matter for home remedies.

Radiculitis: What It Is

The medical term for this condition is radiculopathy (radicular syndrome): it is a neuralgic syndrome that arises from compression of spinal nerve roots. The pain radiates to the neck, limbs, lower back, and the area of internal organs — depending on which root is affected.

A separate and most well-known case is sciatica: irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the feet and is responsible for sensation in the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole.

• cervical form — the roots of the cervical spine are affected;
• thoracic — the roots of the thoracic spine;
• lumbosacral — the very one in which the leg hurts.

Causes of Radiculitis

Most often, a herniated disc presses on the root — a displaced soft disc between the vertebrae; this becomes more likely with age. Less commonly, the cause is narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis), displacement of a vertebra (spondylolisthesis), back trauma, or a pelvic fracture.

It's not only about pressure. In response to compression, inflammation is triggered, microcirculation is impaired, edema appears — and the pain lasts longer. Sometimes the cause is never found at all.

Lumbar and Lumbosacral Radiculitis: Where It Hurts

The buttock and the back of one leg hurt, often involving the foot and toes. Back pain also occurs, but it is usually milder than in the leg. If only the back hurts and there is no pain in the leg, it is most likely not sciatica.

Thoracic Radiculitis and Its Features

In the thoracic form, pain spreads across the torso: radiculopathy manifests as pain in completely different locations, including the area of internal organs — depending on which root is compressed.

Pain in Radiculitis: How It Manifests

The character is shooting, stabbing, less often burning, strictly in the area of the affected root. Tingling, numbness, reduced sensation, and muscle weakness are added. The onset may be sudden, but it can also build up gradually.

The pain intensifies with movement, coughing, sneezing, and lifting heavy objects. At night, redness and swelling of the skin and increased sweating are sometimes added.

When to See a Neurologist

The reason for a visit is pain that has not decreased after several weeks of home measures, is worsening, or interferes with everyday activities. The neurologist looks for typical pain along the course of the root plus at least one neurological symptom of its dysfunction, and for a full picture orders X-rays, MRI, or CT.

Neurophysiological methods — needle electromyography, nerve conduction studies, F-waves, H-reflexes — confirm root damage but do not rule it out. Thus, in 76% of patients with radiculopathy, a large difference between the minimum and maximum F-wave latency was found; absence of the H-reflex or an asymmetric decrease in its amplitude was found in 80–89% of cases confirmed surgically or myelographically.

Radiculitis itself is not a reason to call an ambulance. You should call 103 or 112 if pain has appeared in both legs, if weakness or numbness in both legs is pronounced or worsening, if the genital area or the area around the anus is numb, if it is difficult to start urinating, if it is impossible to urinate or urine is not retained, if there is no sensation of the urge to defecate or stool is not retained. This may be a sign of a serious back problem that is treated in a hospital; one should not drive in such a condition.

This material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation: you won't be able to make a diagnosis from an article, but seeing a neurologist in time is entirely possible.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer