The nerve root compression

The compression of a nerve root can cause pain. In this case, the patient feels pain sensitivity in the territory of which contains the root, and not in the place where it is being compressed. For example, if a herniated lumbar disc compresses the sciatic nerve root, the patient feels pain in the leg, not where the root is being compressed, which is usually in the vicinity of foramen. Such pain is called "spent", follows the journey of the pinched nerve and is accompanied by other signs that reflect their understanding and alterations of sensitivity, strength and reflexes.

Not all the patient feels pain in the legs or arms are irradiated. Sometimes the back pain itself can make you feel a pain reflected in those territories without the nerve is being compressed. In this case the pain is caused by a spinal reflex mechanism, not nerve compression. It is called "referred" specifically and does not follow the path of any nerve, nor was accompanied by signs of compression.

Referred pain is not important in itself confer or any change in approach to treatment. However, a radiating pain resulting compression of a nerve and, therefore, some degree of neurological distress. The generally accepted criterion is that if it gets worse or remained constant over 6 weeks with signs of root compression, you change the treatment and evaluate the indication for surgery if you can determine with certainty what is compressing the nerve and where.

On the other hand, a nerve may be compressed and cause pain. For example, when the compressed nerve is one that controls a muscle and does not transmit sensitive. In this case even though the nerve may be experiencing pain and not having the patient feels only a very serious loss of strength or total in the corresponding muscle, as though the muscle itself is healthy does not receive the impulses that tell contract. If that occurs, reflects a significant compression of the nerve and usually needs to be treated urgently.