Lumbale Radikulopathie

Back pain is a common pain syndrome in the general population. The most common cause is lumbar disc disease and only rarely bony degenerative changes of the spine. Other causes of lumbar radiculopathy include local lesions. Inflammatory changes or meningeal carcinomatosis may also lead to lumbar nerve root damage. With pronounced clinical symptoms, motor deficits of the associated muscles can occur, including weakening of muscle reflexes. In addition to thorough education of the patient about the origin, likely duration, and treatment of the disease, a combination of physical therapy and pharmacotherapy is the basis for successful treatment of lumbar radiculopathy. In cases of severe paralysis, bladder and rectal paralysis, and corresponding compression of nerves, urgent spinal surgery is inevitable.