C5 Root Lesion |
- Shoulder pain, radiating to the upper arm
- Weakness in shoulder abduction and external rotation
- Numbness in the lateral upper arm
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- Electromyography (EMG) to detect denervation in C5-innervated muscles
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
- MRI of the cervical spine to assess for disc herniation or stenosis
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- Cervical disc herniation at C4-C5
- Cervical spondylosis
- Trauma or tumour compressing the C5 nerve root
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- Physical therapy for cervical stabilization and strengthening
- NSAIDs for pain management
- Surgical decompression in cases of severe herniation
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C6 Root Lesion |
- Pain radiating from the neck to the thumb
- Weakness in biceps and wrist extension
- Numbness along the lateral forearm and thumb
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- Electromyography (EMG) of C6-innervated muscles
- MRI of the cervical spine to detect disc herniation (C5-C6)
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS) to confirm radiculopathy
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- Disc herniation at C5-C6 (most common)
- Degenerative cervical spine changes
- Spinal stenosis
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- Physical therapy and NSAIDs
- Epidural corticosteroid injections for persistent pain
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for severe cases
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C7 Root Lesion |
- Pain radiating from the neck down the middle finger
- Weakness in triceps and wrist flexion
- Numbness in the index and middle fingers
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- EMG to assess triceps and forearm muscles
- MRI of cervical spine (C6-C7) to detect disc herniation
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
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- Disc herniation at C6-C7 (most common root affected in cervical radiculopathy)
- Spinal trauma or tumour compressing the nerve root
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- Conservative management with NSAIDs and physiotherapy
- Corticosteroid injections for persistent pain
- Surgical intervention (ACDF or posterior foraminotomy) if symptoms persist
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L4 Root Lesion |
- Pain radiating from the lower back to the medial leg and knee
- Weakness in knee extension (quadriceps) and hip flexion
- Numbness in the medial lower leg
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- MRI of lumbar spine (L3-L4) to detect disc herniation or stenosis
- EMG for L4-innervated muscles (quadriceps)
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
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- Herniated disc at L3-L4
- Lumbar spondylosis or degenerative disc disease
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- Physical therapy for lower back and quadriceps strengthening
- NSAIDs or oral steroids for acute pain relief
- Spinal decompression surgery if severe
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L5 Root Lesion |
- Pain radiating down the lateral leg to the dorsum of the foot
- Weakness in foot dorsiflexion (foot drop)
- Numbness in the lateral leg and dorsum of the foot
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- MRI of the lumbar spine (L4-L5) to assess for disc herniation or stenosis
- EMG of L5-innervated muscles (anterior tibialis)
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
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- Disc herniation at L4-L5 (most common lumbar radiculopathy)
- Degenerative changes, spinal stenosis
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- Conservative management (physical therapy, NSAIDs)
- Epidural steroid injections
- Lumbar decompression surgery if progressive weakness or persistent pain
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S1 Root Lesion |
- Pain radiating down the posterior leg to the sole of the foot
- Weakness in plantarflexion (gastrocnemius and soleus)
- Numbness in the lateral foot and sole
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- MRI of lumbar spine (L5-S1) to detect disc herniation
- EMG for S1-innervated muscles (gastrocnemius)
- Achilles reflex testing (often diminished or absent)
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- Disc herniation at L5-S1 (second most common lumbar radiculopathy)
- Spinal stenosis or trauma
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- Physical therapy and NSAIDs
- Steroid injections for pain relief
- Spinal decompression surgery if weakness or pain persists
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