Radicular Pain Treatment
Relief from radicular pain starts here, just outside St. Louis. If you are living with sharp, shooting pain that radiates from your neck or lower back into your arms or legs, you may be experiencing radicular pain—a condition caused by irritation or compression of spinal nerves. This type of nerve pain can interfere with simple daily tasks, your ability to sleep, or to stay active. At Peloza Spine in Chesterfield, MO, expert care starts with an accurate diagnosis and leads to treatment options that target the source of your pain. Whether you are looking for non-surgical relief or exploring advanced surgical solutions, Dr. Peloza and his team offer personalized care focused on restoring your comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
What Is Radicular Pain?
Radicular pain refers to nerve pain that occurs when a spinal nerve becomes compressed or inflamed. This condition typically results from structural issues within the spine, such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, which place pressure on the nerve roots. Patients with radicular pain often experience sharp, burning, and or shooting discomfort that radiates along the path of the affected nerve. It may extend into the arms in cases involving the cervical spine or into the legs when the lumbar spine is affected. In addition to pain, many individuals report numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the corresponding limb.
Conditions That Commonly Cause Radicular Pain
Several spinal conditions commonly cause radicular pain by compressing or irritating nerve roots. Herniated discs are a frequent source, occurring when the soft inner material of an intervertebral disc protrudes and presses against nearby nerves. Degenerative disc disease can also contribute, as age-related changes in the spine lead to disc height loss and inflammation. Spinal stenosis, characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal, often reduces the space available for nerves, resulting in compression. Additionally, spondylolisthesis, in which one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, can place abnormal pressure on nerve roots. In some cases, spinal tumors or infections may cause similar symptoms by directly affecting the nerve structures.
Conditions that commonly cause radicular pain include:
Herniated Disc with Nerve Compression:
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc bulges or ruptures through the tougher outer layer, pressing against nearby nerve roots. This compression often triggers inflammation and leads to sharp, radiating pain along the affected nerve pathway.
Degenerative Disc Disease:
Age-related disc degeneration can reduce disc height and irritate nerves.
Radiculopathy:
Radiculopathy refers to dysfunction of a spinal nerve root caused by compression, inflammation, or injury. It presents with a combination of pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the area served by the affected nerve.
Spinal Stenosis:
Spinal stenosis involves a narrowing of the spinal canal that reduces space for the spinal cord and nerve roots. This condition often causes bilateral or multi-level nerve compression, leading to pain, weakness, and sensory changes in the extremities.
Foraminal Stenosis:
Foraminal stenosis specifically affects the openings (foramina) where nerve roots exit the spinal column. As these openings narrow due to bone spurs or disc degeneration, the exiting nerve becomes compressed, resulting in localized or radiating pain.
Sciatica:
Sciatica is a form of radicular pain that affects the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down each leg. It typically presents as sharp, burning, or electric shock–like pain radiating from the lumbar spine through the buttock and down the posterior leg.
Spondylolisthesis:
Forward slipping of one vertebra over another and compress nerves.
Facet Joint Hypertrophy:
Enlargement of the facet joints due to arthritis, leading to reduced space for nerve roots.
Other causes of radicular pain include bone spurs (osteophytes), spinal cysts (e.g., synovial cysts), spinal tumors, spinal infections (e.g., epidural abscess), post-surgical scar tissue (epidural fibrosis), traumatic spine injuries.
How Dr. Peloza Treats Radicular Pain
Dr. Peloza considers the full spectrum of options when determining how to treat radicular pain. This ranges from non-surgical interventions to advanced surgical techniques. Each patient receives a personalized care plan informed by thorough diagnostic evaluation to identify the exact source of nerve compression or inflammation. Conservative treatments for radicular pain typically include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and image-guided epidural steroid injections to reduce nerve inflammation. If surgery becomes necessary, Dr. Peloza emphasizes motion-preserving techniques designed to maintain spinal flexibility and function. These include procedures such as artificial disc replacement and minimally invasive endoscopic decompression. Traditional spinal fusion is usually reserved as a last resort.
When to See a Spine Specialist for Nerve Pain
Consider seeing a Dr. Peloza for nerve pain if you experience symptoms such as persistent numbness, progressive weakness, or radiating pain. These symptoms often signal worsening nerve compression that requires expert evaluation. If left untreated, ongoing pressure on the nerve can lead to permanent nerve damage, resulting in chronic pain, sensory loss, or lasting motor dysfunction (e.g., weakness). By intervening early, Dr. Peloza will have a broader range of treatment options and you will have a greater likelihood of achieving a full nerve recovery. Dr. Peloza may use advanced imaging and diagnostic tools to pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms and recommend targeted therapies before the condition becomes more difficult to treat.
Why Choose Peloza Spine in Chesterfield, MO
Dr. Peloza is one of the top spine surgeons in the U.S., specializing in motion-preserving spine care. He brings more than 30 years of experience in diagnosing and treating complex spinal disorders, with a particular focus on motion-preserving spine care. His expertise in advanced surgical techniques, such as artificial disc replacement and minimally invasive decompression, draws patients from across the country who seek alternatives to traditional spinal fusion. Conveniently located just outside St. Louis in Chesterfield, MO, Peloza Spine offers easy access for both local and out-of-state patients looking for expert evaluation and customized treatment plans that prioritize function, recovery, and long-term spinal health.
Get Lasting Relief from Radicular Pain
If you are struggling with radicular pain that limits your daily activities or quality of life, Peloza Spine offers comprehensive solutions designed to provide lasting relief. Whether you live in the St. Louis area or are traveling from out of town, the clinic offers virtual consultations and customized treatment plans to make expert care accessible wherever you are. For patients concerned about cost, insurance coordination and flexible financing options are available to help make treatment more affordable. Do not let nerve pain continue to disrupt your life—book a consultation at Peloza Spine today and take the first step toward meaningful, lasting relief.
