Radiculopathy can be caused by a variety of conditions or injuries, including:
- a herniated disc, when a disc protrudes, compressing the nerve root
- sciatica
- degenerative disc disease
- bone spurs
- tumors of the spine
- osteoarthritis or spinal arthritis
- spinal stenosis, a painful condition when the spinal canal narrows
- compression fractures
- spondylolisthesis, when a vertebra moves and rests on the vertebra below
- scoliosis caused by an abnormal curve in the spine
- diabetes, caused by altered nerve blood flow
- cauda equine syndrome, an uncommon but serious condition when nerve root compression affects the pelvic organs and lower extremities
Additional risk factors for developing radiculopathy include:
- aging
- being overweight
- poor posture
- improper lifting techniques
- repetitive motions
- a family history of degenerative bone conditions