Best Doctors for Radiculopathy in Chennai

Types/Stages of Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy can be classified based on the region of the spine it affects:

• Cervical Radiculopathy: Involves the nerve roots in the neck. This can lead to symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand.

• Thoracic Radiculopathy: Affects the nerve roots in the upper back and can result in symptoms in the chest, abdomen, or back.

• Lumbar Radiculopathy: Impacts the lower back nerve roots with symptoms manifesting in the buttock, leg, and foot.

Symptoms of Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy presents with a range of symptoms such as:

• Pain radiating along the pathway of the affected nerve

• Numbness or tingling sensation in the impacted limb

• Weakness of muscle groups along the nerve path

• Absence or decrease in deep tendon reflexes

Tests to Diagnose Radiculopathy

The best doctors for radiculopathy treatment recommended several tests to diagnose, such as:

• Physical Examination: To assess the patient’s range of motion and pain levels.

• Neurological Examination: To evaluate muscle strength, reflexes, and sensations.

• Imaging Tests: Such as X-rays, Computed Tomography (CT) scans, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) To view the spine and identify any abnormalities.

• Nerve Conduction Studies: To check the electrical impulses in the nerves.

• Electromyography (EMG): To measure the electrical activity in muscles.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Radiculopathy at Apollo Hospitals Chennai

At Apollo Hospitals Chennai, a comprehensive range of treatments for radiculopathy are available:

• Pain Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or gabapentin to manage pain and inflammation.

• Physical Therapy: Exercises to increase strength and flexibility, and to reduce pain.

• Spinal Manipulation: Manual therapy performed by trained professionals to alleviate discomfort.

• Epidural Steroid Injections: Used to reduce inflammation around the nerve root.

• Surgery: Should conservative treatments prove insufficient, surgical interventions such as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical disc replacement (CDR), lumbar decompression (laminectomy, microdiscectomy), or lumbar fusion may be considered.

Our proficient radiculopathy treatment doctors and surgeons at Apollo Hospitals Chennai ensure that each patient receives a customised treatment plan for optimal recovery.