What is nerve root pain?
Nerve root pain happens when a nerve in the spine becomes damaged or compressed. Nerves in the spine send signals that help control movement and sensation throughout the body. When one or more of these nerves are affected, it can lead to pain, numbness, increased sensitivity, or muscle weakness. The pain may start in the spine and travel to other areas of the body connected to the nerve. Pain can come from more than one nerve root at the same time. When pain comes from a single nerve root, it’s called radicular pain. The location and pattern of symptoms often depend on which nerve roots are involved.
At Penn Medicine, our spine care specialists work closely with you to find the source of your pain and build a plan that fits your needs. We collaborate with physical therapists across Pennsylvania and New Jersey to coordinate care. If surgery is needed, you’ll be cared for by experienced spine surgeons. Our board-certified teams perform more than 5,000 spine surgeries each year using the latest minimally invasive techniques for a faster return home.
How nerve root pain can feel
Nerve root pain is often described as burning or sharp. It usually starts in the back and travels along the path of the affected nerve. The symptoms you feel depend on which part of the spine is involved. Lumbar nerve pain, often called sciatica, affects the lower back and can send pain down the leg, sometimes below the knee. Brachial neuralgia, another type of nerve root pain, begins in the neck and may cause pain that radiates through the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers.
Symptoms of nerve root pain may include:
- Tingling or numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Pain in the back, neck, arms, or legs
Conditions linked to nerve root pain
Nerve root pain is often caused by other underlying conditions that have caused compression or damage to the nerve root.
Causes of nerve root pain may include:
- Arthritis
- Bone spurs
- Inflammatory disease
- Degenerative spinal conditions, such as spinal stenosis
- Herniated discs
- Spondylosis
- Abnormalities, such as tumors, cysts, hernias, and hematomas
- Spinal injury or infection
Finding the source of nerve pain
Diagnosing nerve root pain starts with a careful physical exam and a review of your medical history. Your provider will ask about your symptoms and check muscle strength, reflexes, posture, and areas of numbness or reduced sensation. Imaging and nerve tests may be used to better understand what’s happening in the spine.
Treatment options for nerve root pain
Many people find that nerve pain improves over time or with simple treatments like medication and physical therapy. If those methods don’t provide enough relief, your provider may recommend interventional techniques like nerve blocks or epidural injections. When non-surgical treatments don't work, surgery may be the next best step to treat underlying conditions causing nerve root pain.