Dr Colum Nolan
Senior Consultant Spine & Neurosurgeon
MB, BCh, BAO, LRCPSI, MRCSI, FRCSI (Neurosurgery)
When a spinal nerve is pinched or inflamed, the resulting pain can travel beyond the spine itself — into the shoulders, arms, hips, or legs. This condition, known as radiculopathy, most often arises in two regions: the cervical spine (neck) and the lumbar spine (lower back).
Although both involve nerve compression, the patterns of pain, numbness, and weakness can differ greatly. Understanding the differences will help pinpoint the root of your symptoms and guide you toward the right diagnosis and treatment.
What Is Radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy refers to pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that travels along the pathway of a spinal nerve. Each nerve in the spine supplies sensation and muscle control to specific areas of the body, so when a nerve becomes irritated or compressed, the symptoms tend to follow a recognisable pattern.
Common causes include disc herniation, bone spurs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc changes, and spondylolisthesis. Although the underlying process is similar, cervical and lumbar radiculopathy affect different regions of the body and therefore present with different symptom patterns.
Neck (Cervical) Radiculopathy
Common Causes of Cervical Radiculopathy
Several conditions can lead to narrowing or irritation around the cervical nerve roots, including:- Herniated Cervical Disc: The soft inner material of a disc can push outward and press on a nerve. This often occurs due to ageing, repetitive strain or sudden movement.
- Cervical Spondylosis: Age-related degeneration of the discs and joints can cause them to lose height and flexibility. These changes may create friction or narrowing around the nerves.
- Bone Spurs: As the spine undergoes wear and tear, bony growths may develop. These spurs can intrude into the nerve passageways and reduce space for the nerve root.
- Thickened Ligaments or Enlarged Joints: Over time, ligaments and facet joints may thicken or enlarge as a response to chronic stress or degeneration. This further contributes to reduced nerve space.
- Trauma or Sudden Neck Movement: Accidents, falls or abrupt rotational movements can injure the cervical spine and irritate nerve roots, even in individuals without pre-existing spinal issues.
Typical Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy
Given that cervical nerves travel from the neck into the shoulders, arms and hands, the symptoms generally follow the exact course of the compromised nerve. Common signs include:- Pain radiating into the shoulder, arm or forearm
- Tingling, numbness or “pins and needles” in the fingers
- Weakness in the arm or hand muscles
- Pain that increases when turning, tilting or extending the neck
- Reduced grip strength or difficulty performing fine motor tasks
Lower Back (Lumbar) Radiculopathy
Common Causes of Lumbar Radiculopathy
Several conditions can reduce the space around the lumbar nerves or cause inflammation, including:- Lumbar Disc Herniation: The disc material can press on a nerve root, producing sharp, radiating pain down the leg.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: With age, spinal discs lose essential hydration and height, reducing their vital capacity to cushion the vertebrae. This can cause the spinal structure to shift, resulting in compression and irritation of the adjacent nerves.
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve passageways can compress the nerves, often causing symptoms that worsen with standing or walking.
- Spondylolisthesis: This condition occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it. This slippage narrows the space where the nerves exit the spinal canal, directly pinching or irritating the nerve roots and causing radiating pain in the leg.
- Osteoarthritic Changes: As a result of wear and tear, joints in the spine may thicken and develop bone spurs. These structural changes directly encroach upon the nerve pathways, causing compression of the lumbar nerve roots and resulting in lumbar radiculopathy.
Typical Symptoms of Lumbar Radiculopathy
Symptoms typically manifest along the lower body pathway from the back into the buttocks, legs, and feet. Common signs include:- Shooting or burning pain that travels down the buttock or leg
- Numbness affecting the thigh, calf or foot
- Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations
- Weakness in one or both legs
- Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting, bending, twisting or lifting
Key Differences: Cervical vs Lumbar Radiculopathy
| Feature | Cervical Radiculopathy (Neck) | Lumbar Radiculopathy (Lower Back) |
| Where the nerve is affected | Nerves exiting the cervical spine | Nerves exiting the lumbar spine |
| Common causes | Disc herniation, age-related degeneration, bone spurs, trauma | Disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, degeneration |
| Typical pain pattern | Pain radiates from neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand | Pain radiates from lower back into the buttock, thigh, or leg |
| Associated sensations | Tingling and numbness in the arm or hand | Tingling, numbness, burning or shooting pain down the leg |
| Possible muscle weakness | Weakness in the shoulder, arm, or grip strength | Weakness in the hip, thigh, calf, or foot |
| Aggravating movements | Looking down, turning the head, lifting overhead | Bending forward, prolonged sitting, lifting heavy objects |
| Red-flag symptoms | Loss of hand coordination, severe arm weakness | Loss of bowel/bladder control, severe leg weakness (signs of cauda equina) |
| When to seek care | Persistent neck/arm pain, worsening neurological symptoms | Persistent lower-back/leg pain, progressive weakness or numbness |
Get Relief from Radiculopathy with Oxford Spine & Neuro
If radiating arm or leg pain is interfering with your routine, or if numbness and weakness are becoming more frequent, it may be time to speak with our experienced spine specialist, Dr Colum Nolan for a detailed work-up and personalised treatment plan.
At Oxford Spine & Neurosurgery Centre, we’re here to help you understand what’s causing your symptoms and provide an effective plan that supports your comfort and mobility. Reach out to us if your symptoms persist, worsen, or begin to affect your quality of life — early attention can make all the difference.
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.
