Because the nerves extending from the spinal cord travel to different parts of the body, people will experience different symptoms, depending on where in the spine the nerve compression occurs.
Cervical radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in the neck or upper back is compressed. The symptoms associated with cervical radiculopathy include:
- pain in the neck, shoulder, upper back, or arm weakness or numbness typically experienced on one side
- Thoracic radiculopathy
Thoracic radiculopathy
A person may experience pain in the chest and torso when the nerve compression or irritation occurs in the mid back region.
Thoracic radiculopathy is an uncommon condition that may be misdiagnosed as shingles, heart, abdominal, or gallbladder complications.
Symptoms associated with thoracic radiculopathy include:
- burning or shooting pain in the rib, side, or abdomen
- numbness and tingling
Lumbar radiculopathy
A person may experience pain in the low back, legs, and hip region when the nerve compression or irritation occurs in the lower part of the back.
Lumbar radiculopathy is also known as sciatica, and symptoms include pain and numbness in the low back, hips, buttock, leg, or foot. Symptoms are typically made worse with long periods of sitting or walking.
In some cases, nerves affecting the bowel and bladder can become compressed, leading to bowel or bladder incontinence or loss of control.
Other generalized symptoms of radiculopathy may include:
- sharp pain starting in the back, extending to the foot
- sharp pain with sitting or coughing
- numbness or weakness in the leg and foot
- numbness or tingling in the back or leg
- sensation or reflex changes, hypersensitivity
- pain in the arm or shoulder
- worsening pain with movement of the neck or head