Dr Colum Nolan
Senior Consultant Spine & Neurosurgeon
MB, BCh, BAO, LRCPSI, MRCSI, FRCSI (Neurosurgery)
Pain that shoots, spreads, or extends beyond its starting point is usually a sign that a nerve is involved. Whether it begins in your lower back and travels down your leg, or starts in your neck and moves into your arm, radiating pain shouldn’t be ignored. It often points to nerve compression, and addressing it early can prevent the symptoms from becoming more persistent or severe.
Understanding Radiating Pain
Radiating pain occurs when an irritated or compressed nerve sends signals along its pathway, causing discomfort to appear in areas beyond the original source. People commonly describe radiating pain as sharp, shooting, burning, or electric-like. It may also be accompanied by numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected limb. Recognising these patterns helps distinguish nerve-related pain from general aches and guides doctors toward the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
What Causes Radiating Pain?
1. Herniated Disc
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer. When this displaced disc material presses on or irritates a nearby nerve root, it disrupts the nerve’s normal signalling. Since the spinal nerves travel down the arms and legs, this irritation can cause pain to radiate along those pathways rather than remaining confined to the back or neck. Common symptoms include:- Pain that travels down the arm (cervical disc herniation)
- Pain that travels down the leg (lumbar disc herniation)
- Tingling, numbness or “pins and needles”
- Muscle weakness in the affected limb
2. Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within the spine become narrowed, placing pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves that branch out from it. When these nerves are compressed, the signals they carry to the arms or legs can become disrupted, leading to radiating pain and other sensory changes along their pathways. In lumbar spinal stenosis, nerve compression in the lower back may cause:- Aching, heaviness or fatigue in the legs
- Pain that worsens with walking or standing
- Arm pain or numbness
- Tingling or weakness in the hands
- In some cases, coordination or balance difficulties
3. Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease occurs when spinal discs gradually lose height, hydration and flexibility with age. As the discs thin and their cushioning ability decreases, the spine becomes less stable. These changes can create abnormal movement between vertebrae or reduce the space available for nearby nerves. When a nerve root becomes irritated or compressed, pain may radiate along its pathway into the arms or legs. Since disc degeneration progresses differently in each person, the pattern and intensity of radiating symptoms can vary widely. Symptoms often include:- Intermittent radiating pain
- Episodes of tingling or numbness
- Discomfort that worsens with certain movements or prolonged positions
4. Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed. This nerve begins in the lower spine and travels through the buttock, down the thigh and into the lower leg and foot. When something presses on the nerve root, such as a herniated disc, bone spur or spinal narrowing, the disrupted nerve signals can cause pain to radiate along the entire length of the nerve. Symptoms may include:- Sharp or shooting pain down the buttock, thigh, calf or foot
- Tingling, numbness or a “pins and needles” sensation
- Weakness in the affected leg
- Radiating or shooting pain down the buttocks or legs
- Stiffness or tightness in the lower back
- Tingling, numbness or weakness in the legs
6. Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy describes the condition where a nerve root in the neck (cervical spine) becomes compressed, irritated or inflamed. Because these nerves are responsible for sensation and movement in the upper limb, irritation at the source causes the pain and other symptoms to radiate along the entire pathway into the shoulder, arm, forearm and hand. Key symptoms include:- Pain that travels through the shoulder, arm, forearm or fingers
- Sensory disturbances like numbness or tingling in specific, distinct parts of the hand or arm
- Reduced grip strength or difficulty performing fine motor tasks
7. Other Possible Causes
Radiating pain does not always stem from the spine. Some non-spinal conditions can cause similar symptoms, including:- Peripheral nerve entrapment, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar nerve compression, which can cause numbness, tingling or pain along the nerve’s pathway
- Muscular or myofascial conditions that refer pain outward to nearby areas, mimicking nerve-related patterns
- Systemic inflammatory conditions, which may irritate nerves or surrounding tissues and lead to widespread or migrating discomfort
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
- Persists for more than a few weeks
- Interferes with daily tasks or quality of life
- Is accompanied by numbness, tingling or muscle weakness
- Gradually worsens despite rest or self-care
- Affects balance, coordination or fine motor control
How Oxford Spine & Neuro Treats Radiating Pain
Treatment for radiating pain is highly individualised and depends on the underlying cause. Management options typically include activity modification, physiotherapy, medications to reduce inflammation or nerve irritation, and, in severe cases, specialised surgery to relieve pressure on affected nerves.
If you are experiencing radiating pain, please make an appointment with our experienced spine specialist, Dr Colum Nolan, for a thorough evaluation and personalised guidance. Contact us today for more information.
Our Spine Specialist in Singapore
Dr Colum Nolan
Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon
MB, BCh, BAO, LRCPSI, MRCSI, FRCSI (Neurosurgery)
Dr Colum Nolan is a Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon and the Medical Director of Oxford Spine & Neurosurgery Centre. He undertook specialist neurosurgery training in Ireland and Australia, and later on completed a complex spine surgery fellowship at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK.
Dr Column held key leadership roles including Director of the Spine and Spinal Disorders Programme at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), as well as the Head of Neurosurgery Service at Sengkang General Hospital.
With his depth of experience, Dr Colum is committed to guiding each patient towards the safest and most effective treatment for their needs.
