Lumbar Radiculopathy In New Jersey

Lumbar radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the lower back becomes irritated or compressed, often causing symptoms that travel into the buttock, hip, leg, or foot. Patients may experience radiating pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or difficulty with everyday movement.

At Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey, Dr. Joseph Pyun evaluates and treats lumbar radiculopathy with a patient-centered approach focused on accurate diagnosis, clear education, and individualized treatment planning. Schedule a consultation at our Wayne, Paramus, or Parsippany location to learn whether lumbar radiculopathy may be causing your symptoms and which treatment options can best support your comfort, mobility, and daily function.

What Is Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Lumbar nerve roots exit the spine and help carry sensation and movement signals between the lower back and the buttocks, legs, feet, and toes. Lumbar radiculopathy occurs when one or more of these nerve roots becomes compressed, inflamed, or irritated.

Symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy often follow the path of the affected nerve, with sciatica being one common symptom pattern. The term sciatica refers to nerve pain that travels along the sciatic nerve pathway from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg.

Common Causes of Lumbar Radiculopathy

Common causes of lumbar radiculopathy include:

Lumbar Disc Herniation – Displaced disc material can irritate or compress a nearby nerve root.

Degenerative Disc Disease – Age-related disc wear can reduce disc height and the space around nearby nerves.

Spinal Stenosis – Narrowing around the spinal canal or nerve passageways can place pressure on lumbar nerve roots.

Bone Spurs – Bony growths related to arthritis or degeneration can contribute to narrowing around nerve roots.

Spondylolisthesis – When one vertebra slips out of alignment, it can affect spinal stability and narrow the spaces where nerves travel.

Traumatic Injury – Falls, collisions, or sports injuries can damage spinal structures or create inflammation that irritates nearby nerves.

• Pain in the lower back, buttock, hip, thigh, calf, or foot
• Radiating pain that travels down one leg
• Burning, sharp, shooting, or electric-like pain
• Tingling, numbness, or pins-and-needles sensations in the leg or foot
• Weakness in the leg, ankle, foot, or toes
• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, lifting, standing, or walking
• Difficulty walking normally or maintaining balance

Specialist evaluation is especially important if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or associated with weakness. 

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, new numbness in the groin or saddle area, rapidly worsening leg weakness, difficulty walking, or major balance changes.

How Lumbar Radiculopathy Is Diagnosed

Lumbar radiculopathy diagnosis at Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey begins with a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, activity level, and how lower back or leg symptoms are affecting daily life. Dr. Pyun will ask where symptoms are felt, what makes them better or worse, and whether you are experiencing changes in strength, sensation, balance, or mobility.

A physical examination may include checks of posture, range of motion, reflexes, muscle strength, sensation, and walking pattern. These findings can help identify which lumbar nerve root may be involved and whether symptoms are more consistent with radiculopathy or another source of hip, leg, or nerve-related pain.

Imaging may be recommended to better visualize the structures of the lumbar spine and identify where a nerve may be irritated or compressed. X-rays can help evaluate spinal alignment, arthritis, instability, or degenerative changes. MRI may be used to assess discs, nerves, and soft tissues in more detail.

Treatment Options For Lumbar Radiculopathy

Treatment for lumbar radiculopathy depends on the underlying cause of nerve irritation, symptom severity, how long symptoms have been present, and whether there are signs of weakness or progressive nerve involvement. Dr. Pyun prioritizes non-surgical treatment whenever possible, while also helping patients understand when surgery may offer the most effective path forward.

Non-surgical treatment for lumbar radiculopathy may include:

• Activity Modification – Temporarily limiting movements that clearly worsen symptoms can help reduce nerve irritation.
• Physical Therapy – Targeted physical therapy can help improve mobility, strengthen supporting muscles, and reduce stress on the lumbar spine.
• Medications – Anti-inflammatory medications, nerve-related pain medications, or other prescribed medications may help manage pain and inflammation.
• Pain Management Injections – Epidural steroid injections or other image-guided injections may help reduce inflammation around an irritated lumbar nerve root.

Surgery may be considered when symptoms are severe, worsening, or persistent despite conservative care. Surgical options for lumbar radiculopathy depend on the specific diagnosis, but may include lumbar microdiscectomy, endoscopic lumbar discectomy, lumbar laminotomy or laminectomy, or lumbar fusion when instability or structural degeneration is involved.

Expert Care At Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey

Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey provides advanced spine care for patients experiencing lower back pain, leg symptoms, nerve compression, and related mobility concerns. Our team focuses on helping patients understand their diagnosis, ask informed questions, and move forward with a treatment plan that reflects their needs and goals.

Patients choose Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey for our award-winning specialists, advanced technology, state-of-the-art clinical environment, and thoughtful, patient-centered approach from the first visit through follow-up care. Diagnosis and consultation are available at our Wayne, Paramus, and Parsippany locations. When surgery is needed, it is performed off-site at an affiliated hospital or surgical center.

Book An Appointment Today

If lower back and leg symptoms are affecting your comfort, mobility, or daily routine, lumbar radiculopathy could be an underlying cause. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Pyun at Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey to receive an accurate diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan.