Search

Skip to main content Accessibility help

Only show content I have access to (0)

Chapters (1)

Over 3 years (1)

From year:

To year:

Apply

Medicine (1)

Cambridge University Press (1)

1 results

Chapter 20 - Opioids
from Section 6 - The Management of Neuropathic Pain
- By Andrea D. Furlan, Angela Mailis-Gagnon
Edited by Cory Toth, Dwight E. Moulin
Book:

Neuropathic Pain

Published online:

05 December 2013

Print publication:

07 November 2013, pp 240-248
- Chapter
- - Get access
    
    Check if you have access via personal or institutional login
    
    Log in Register
- Export citation
Summary

Nerve root compression can occur from osteophyte formation, disc herniation, or a combination. As only 1-2% of patients with back pain have a nerve root or spinal cord compression, an accurate diagnosis of the causes of painful radiculopathy relies on a thorough history and physical exam. It is important to note that many asymptomatic individuals have abnormalities such as disc herniations and foraminal stenosis on CT and MRI. Therefore, the imaging findings must be correlated with the history and examination findings. Surgery for spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication is indicated if severe pain is present, and can provide sustained relief. Since the spinal cord terminates at the L1-2 vertebral level, lumbar pathology below this level may compress the distal nerve root, causing a cauda equina syndrome. A lesion affecting the lumbosacral plexus (LSP) can present with pain in the low back, hip or pelvis, or with sciatica pain.