Unit 4 Discussion:Group B

(Tammy, Heather and Merissa)

What is Radiculopathy and how would it differ from a Neuropathy?

The term Radiculopathy is used to specifically describe pain and other symptoms including:

NumbnessTinglingWeakness

Radiculopathy usually creates a pattern of pain and numbness that is felt in your arms or your legs in the area of skin supplied by the sensory fibers of the

nerve root.Muscle weakness may also be present in

the muscles supplied by the same nerve root. (Back.com, 2009)

SCIATICA

This is pain that radiates

from the back into the

buttocks and down the legs

into the feet (Back.com, 2009)

Common Example of Radiculopathy Pain

Neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves which include: Motor Sensory Autonomic Which connect the spinal cord to muscles, skin and internal organs.

Like radiculopathy, neuropathy causes: Weakness Numbness Tingling Pain

HOWEVER;

Radiculopathy usually refers to injury of nerve roots along the spine due to compression, inflammation or trauma (McCance & Huether, 2003; Wikipedia, 2009). Causes may include osteoarthritis, disc herniation and scoliosis (Answers.com, 2008).

Neuropathy normally occurs in older adults with 30% of cases being idiopathic in origin, 30% related to diabetes and the remaining related to other causes including autoimmune disorders (The Neuropathy Association, 2008).

Peripheral Neuropathies may:

Come and go

Progress slowly over many years

Become severe and debilitating (The

Neuropathy Association, 2009)

Neuropathy may progress from numbness, tingling, abnormal sensations or pain in the feet. Some people feel like they have socks on, even though they are barefoot. Over time, this

feeling spreads to your legs and hands (The Neuropathy Association, 2009) It may become harder and harder to walk; the legs feel heavy. The individual may feel as though they have to drag themselves up the stairs. Next, it may be difficult to maintain balance because

the individual is not exactly sure where their feet are, causing stumbling and a risk for falls. To keep

balance, the gait may become widened and walking may become less rhythmic or fluid.

Radiculopathy and Neuropathy present very similarly with tingling, numbness and weakness.

General Differences:

Radiculopathy Radiating PainNeuropathy Debilitating

and Progressive

ReferencesAnswers.com (2008). Neurological disorder: Radiculopathy. Retrieved January 25, 2009 from http://www.answers.com/topic/radiculopathy

Aronowski, J. & Labiche, L. (2003). Perspectives on Reperfusion-induced Damage in Rodent Models of Experimental Focal Ischemia and Role of γ-Protein Kinase C. ILAR Journal. 44(2).

Back.com. (2009). Radiculopathy. Retrieved January 26, 2009 from: http://www.back.com/symptoms-radiculopathy.html

The Neuropathy Association. (2009). About peripheral neuropathy: signs and symptoms. Retrieved January 26, 2009 from: http://www.neuropathy.org

McCance, K., & Huether, S. (2006). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children. (5th ed.). St. Louis, MI: Elsevier Mosby.

Wikipedia (2009). Radiculopathy. Retrieved January 25, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiculopathy

Wikipedia (2009). Neuropathy. Retrieved January 25, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropathy