Spinal stenosis
19 important questions on Spinal stenosis
WHAT IS SPINAL STENOSIS?
What is the definition of radicular pain?
What are the characteristics of radicular pain?
- Pain only
- Caused by chemical irritation or compression of a nerve root
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What are the clinical features of radicular pain?
- Sharp, shooting, electric pain
- Follows a dermatomal pattern
- Worse with:
- Coughing, sneezing, straining
- Flexion (lumbar disc)
- No objective neurological deficit
What is an important exam pearl regarding radicular pain?
What are the characteristics of radiculopathy?
- Nerve root dysfunction
- Pain with neurological deficit
What are the clinical features of radiculopathy?
- Dermatomal sensory loss
- Myotomal weakness
- Reduced or absent reflexes
- ± radicular pain
What is an important exam pearl regarding radiculopathy?
What is the side-by-side APC table feature for radicular pain?
- Pain: ✅ Present
- Sensory loss: ❌ No
- Motor weakness: ❌ No
- Reflex changes: ❌ No
- Objective signs: ❌
- Severity: Symptom-based
What is the side-by-side APC table feature for radiculopathy?
- Pain: ± Present
- Sensory loss: ✅ Yes
- Motor weakness: ✅ Yes
- Reflex changes: ✅ Yes
- Objective signs: ✅
- Severity: Neurological
What is a common trap regarding leg pain?
- Leg pain with deficit = radiculopathy
What is a common misconception about pain severity?
- Pain severity ≠ nerve damage
What is an example of radicular pain?
- Sharp L5 dermatomal leg pain
- Normal strength, sensation, reflexes
What are the investigation and management implications for radicular pain?
- Often improves with conservative care
- Imaging not urgent
What are the investigation and management implications for radiculopathy?
- Needs closer monitoring
- Progressive weakness → urgent referral
What is the rapid-fire question regarding pain only?
What is the rapid-fire question regarding objective deficit?
Can radiculopathy exist without pain?
What is the final exam-perfect statement regarding radicular pain and radiculopathy?
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