Lumbosacral radiculopathy

Lumbosacral radiculopathy is one of the most common disorders evaluated by neurologists and is a leading referral diagnosis for the performance of electromyography. Although precise epidemiologic data are difficult to establish, the prevalence of lumbosacral radiculopathy is approximately 3% to 5%, distributed equally in men and women. Degenerative spondyloarthropathies are the principal underlying cause of these clinical syndromes and are increasingly commonplace with age. Men are most likely to develop symptoms in their 40s, whereas women are affected most commonly between ages 50 and 60. The clinical presentation and initial management of lumbosacral radiculopathies of various etiologies are discussed.