A 44-year-old member asked:
I've got a lumbar radiculopathy and i'm wondering if this pain is for my lifetime or if it is treated the pain will go away permanently?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Chris Faubelanswered
Pain Management 16 years experience
Probably not: That's just impossible to say. It depends heavily on what's causing the pinched nerve. Is it just a bulged/herniated disc? Is there some joint arthritis with spurs pinching the nerve? What about a synovial cyst? How big is the herniation if there is one?
Epidural steroid injections can help tremendously for acute (new) radiculopathy, but will likely eventually need to be repeated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Qamar Khananswered
Pain Management 19 years experience
Will Improve: Without treatment it may be around for awhile. Naturally the radiculopathy pain improves by 3-6 weeks on its own. However if it persists after that you may choose to get care, otherwise discs typically heal over 6-9 months,
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Edward Hellmananswered
Orthopedic Surgery 31 years experience
Varies: It varies based upon the cause, but most cases of radiculopathy are very treatable and so it typically does not have to be a permanent condition.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
677 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 11, 2018
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