Pain, numbness or tingling?
Review your nerve symptoms.
Radiculopathy involves an irritated or compressed spinal nerve root. Symptoms can travel into an arm or leg. Review your symptoms and imaging before choosing treatment.
Request a Nerve Evaluation (Form)Telehealth or in person. Your request does not confirm an appointment.
A careful review before a surgical decision.
Your evaluation connects the pattern of your symptoms, a neurological examination and imaging to understand which nerve may be involved. Treatment options are discussed in the context of your diagnosis and prior care.
Bring your imaging
Bring available spine imaging, reports and details of your symptoms and previous treatments.
Discuss the alternatives
Review previous care, nonsurgical options, expected benefits, limitations and risks.
Choose the appropriate next step
Surgery is discussed when symptoms, examination and imaging support it. No outcome is guaranteed.
Experience & careful judgment
Meet Dr. Cornacchia.
Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS
A board-certified neurosurgeon with 30 years of spinal cord stimulation experience.
More about Dr. Cornacchia’s experience and SCS device decisions
Spinal cord stimulation experience
Experienced neurosurgical judgment before device decisions.
A spinal cord stimulator is a medical device decision, but it is also a diagnosis decision. Apteum’s evaluation is designed to clarify whether SCS is reasonable, whether another spine problem needs attention, and what goals should define success for you.
He works with a community of experienced pain-management doctors and with Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and other manufacturers.
Manufacturer relationships do not imply endorsement of a specific device for every patient. Brand and system selection should be based on clinical need, anatomy, MRI considerations, programming goals, prior device history, and shared decision-making.
Additional systems as clinically appropriateYour evaluation focuses on listening, reviewing your imaging and explaining your options clearly. Surgery is considered when it is appropriate for your case.
Your evaluation focuses on your diagnosis, prior care and goals. Discuss the expected benefits, limitations, risks and alternatives before choosing your next step. An evaluation is not a commitment to surgery or an implant.
Read Dr. Cornacchia’s training and experience →How spinal cord stimulation works
Watch this explanation created by Dr. Cornacchia. Spinal cord stimulation is one option for selected patients after evaluation; it is not appropriate for every cause of pain and does not replace the discussion of the treatment on this page.
Full pinched nerve information, treatment and FAQs
Pinched Nerve / Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy — commonly known as a pinched nerve — can cause significant pain and functional limitations. Apteum Spine specializes in identifying the precise location of nerve compression and providing targeted treatment.
Your request does not confirm an appointment.
Understand your condition. Know your options.
The first step is understanding what is causing your symptoms. We review your history, imaging, and previous treatment so you can understand which options deserve consideration.
- Listen
Your history, symptoms, and goals.
- Review
Your imaging and previous treatment.
- Explain
Your options and the next steps.
Information for your evaluation
What Is Radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy is a condition caused by compression, inflammation, or injury to a spinal nerve root. The compressed nerve can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the path of the nerve. Depending on which nerve is affected, symptoms can occur in the neck, upper back, lower back, arms, or legs. The three main types are cervical radiculopathy (neck), thoracic radiculopathy (mid-back), and lumbar radiculopathy (lower back).
Causes of Radiculopathy
The most common causes of radiculopathy include herniated discs, bone spurs from arthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis. Less common causes include spinal infections, tumors, diabetes-related nerve damage, and scar tissue from previous spinal surgery. Risk factors include age, repetitive spinal motions, and obesity.
Diagnosis and Evaluation
Diagnosing radiculopathy typically involves a thorough physical examination, including tests for reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation. Imaging studies, such as MRI or CT scans, can reveal the source of nerve compression. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies may be used to assess nerve function and pinpoint the exact location of the problem.
Common Symptoms
- Sharp pain radiating from the spine to an extremity
- Numbness or tingling in arms, hands, legs, or feet
- Muscle weakness in the affected area
- Loss of reflexes
- Increased pain with certain neck or back movements
Treatment Options
- Physical therapy and targeted exercises
- Oral anti-inflammatory medications
- Selective nerve root blocks
- Epidural steroid injections
- Minimally invasive decompression surgery
What Is a Pinched Nerve (Radiculopathy)?
A pinched nerve — known medically as radiculopathy — occurs when a spinal nerve root is compressed or irritated, usually by a herniated disc, bone spur, or narrowing of the space the nerve passes through. The result is pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that often travels along the path of that nerve into an arm or leg. At Apteum Spine, Dr. Louis G. Cornacchia III focuses on identifying exactly which nerve is affected, which is the key to effective treatment.
Symptoms
• Sharp, burning, or electric pain radiating into an arm or leg
• Numbness or tingling along the nerve path
• Muscle weakness in the affected limb
•Pain that worsens with certain positions or movements
Common Causes
Most pinched nerves are caused by a herniated disc or by degenerative changes (bone spurs, thickened ligaments, or narrowing/stenosis) that reduce the space around the nerve root.
Where It Happens
Cervical radiculopathy affects nerves in the neck and causes symptoms in the shoulder, arm, or hand. Lumbar radiculopathy affects nerves in the lower back and causes symptoms down the buttock and leg — commonly experienced as sciatica.
Diagnosis
A history and neurological exam, with imaging (MRI most often) to confirm which nerve root is compressed and why, before any treatment decision.
Treatment Options
• Physical therapy and activity modification
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Epidural steroid injections or selective nerve root blocks
• Minimally invasive decompression or microdiscectomy when conservative care fails or there is progressive weakness
When to Seek Care
See a specialist for pain that radiates into a limb, persistent numbness, or weakness. Seek emergency care for sudden severe weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a pinched nerve the same as radiculopathy?
Yes — “pinched nerve” is the everyday term for radiculopathy, which means irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root.
Will a pinched nerve heal on its own?
Many improve over weeks with conservative care as inflammation subsides. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated.
Medically reviewed by Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS — board-certified neurosurgeon. Last updated: June 2026. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. For urgent symptoms, call (609) 831-0998 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Take your next step with clarity.
Request an evaluation of your condition and options. Our team will contact you to discuss your request and arrange the next step.
Your request does not confirm an appointment.
Understand your nerve symptoms and treatment options.
Request an evaluation to review your symptoms, imaging, goals and prior treatment history.
The team will contact you to discuss your request. No outcome is guaranteed.