One thing is certain: They all have to do with the nervous system in some way.
And then there are the injuries to, and conditions of, the structures of the spinal column itself.
The spinal canal and the cord are situated vertically at the center of the column.
The spinal cord ends at the junction of the thoracic and lumbar spines.
The peripheral nervous system consists of all of the other nerves within the body.
The peripheral nerves extend out to the extremities, equipping them with sensation and movement capabilities.
Nerve roots exit the spinal canal and are part of the peripheral nervous system.
Thespinal nerve rootthen exits the spinal column through a hole at the side of the spine called theforamen.
This is a key piece of the diagnostic process for a number of spinal ailments.
All of this offers a starting point for understanding the area being affected in your case.
Many of them sound similar.
Quite often, radiculopathy is brought on by some form of compression of the spinal nerve root.
This is the reason for symptoms experienced in the extremity.
You may wonder why your symptoms are felt in one extremity but not both.
An example might be pain, weakness, and numbness that is present in just one leg.
Degenerative changes, often called “wear and tear,” typically occur in an asymmetric fashion.
Injury location plays a role, too.
The most common cause of radiating pain is impingement (a.k.a.
compression) of a spinal nerve root.
And referred pain tends to be closer to its source than radiating pain.
Radiculitis
Radiculitis is a term that is sometimes used to describe radiculopathy more specifically.
The distinction lies in what causes the radiculopathy.
The wordradiculitisrefers to a spinal nerve root that is inflamed rather than compressed or otherwise irritated.
The suffix-itisrefers to inflammation.
The prefixradicu-refers to the spinal nerve root.
Therefore, radiculitis refers to inflammation of the spinal nerve root.
Radiculitis, in general, differs from most cases of radiculopathy in that it is non-compressive.
Radicular Pain
Radicular pain is one of the symptoms of radiculopathy.
Many people confuse the terms radicular pain and radiculopathy.
Radiculopathy causes radicular pain.
But radicular pain does not represent the full symptom spectrum of radiculopathy.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is another broad umbrella term.
It refers to any dysfunction or disease that affects nerves.
Its usually classified according to either the cause, such as diabetic neuropathy, or the location.
A well-known example of peripheral neuropathy is carpal tunnel syndrome.
With neuropathy, it’s sometimes difficult to tell where the trouble really is.
In this case, the nerves in the extremity are the ones affected, making this condition a neuropathy.
Neuropathy can affect many nerves at one time, or just one.
When multiple nerves are involved the condition is called polyneuropathy.
When its just one, it’s known as mononeuropathy.
The difference between the two -itises is that radiculitis refers to inflammation of the spinal nerve root.
This includes, but is not limited to, the arms and legs.
Neuritis may lead to radicular pain, as well as to other nerve symptoms.
One of the most common causes of sciatica is radiculopathy, which is discussed above.
Another one isspinal stenosis.
It’s best to get formally diagnosed before determining which treatment option is the best fit for you.
Another strategy for diminishing the occurrence of degenerative spinal changes is to prevent injuries before they happen.
Again, a well-crafted exercise program may help.
If these conservative measures fail, surgery may be needed to help decrease or eliminate symptoms.
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American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
2016;6(1):816.
Published 2016 Apr 11. doi:10.4081/cp.2016.816
Cleveland Clinic.Mononeuropathy.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Glossary of Neurosurgical Terminology.
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