Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy refers to pain and other symptoms caused by compression or irritation of a spinal nerve root.

It is most often seen in the cervical or lumbar spine, where herniated discs, degenerative changes or spinal stenosis can press on nerve roots. Patients typically experience sharp, shooting or electric shock–like pain radiating along the course of the nerve, sometimes accompanied by numbness, tingling or weakness.

Diagnosis involves a combination of clinical examination and imaging, such as MRI. Treatment begins with conservative measures like physiotherapy, medications and epidural injections. In persistent or severe cases, interventional techniques such as pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the dorsal root ganglion are used to calm abnormal nerve activity while preserving nerve integrity. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling at the nerve root, PRF provides a tissue-preserving alternative to destructive ablation or surgery.