Radiculopathy Evaluation
Identifying pinched nerve roots in the neck or lower back as a source of radiating pain.
Overview
Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root is compressed or irritated as it exits the spine — commonly from a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative changes. This can cause pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates down an arm or leg, following the path of the affected nerve.
Electrodiagnostic testing helps confirm which nerve root is involved, distinguish radiculopathy from other causes of limb pain, and gauge severity — information that guides whether conservative care, injections, or surgical evaluation is the right next step.
Symptoms This Test Helps Explain
• Pain that radiates from the neck into the arm, or from the low back into the leg (sciatica)
• Numbness or tingling following a specific nerve pathway
• Weakness in a specific muscle group fed by one nerve root
• Symptoms that worsen with certain neck or back positions
What to Expect
A focused exam identifies which nerve root distribution matches your symptoms, and nerve conduction/EMG testing confirms whether — and how severely — that nerve root is affected. This distinguishes true radiculopathy from other conditions that mimic it, such as peripheral nerve entrapment, and helps your care team target treatment to the actual source of the problem.