INFORMATION FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE RADICULOPATHY DURING PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING

What is radiculopathy during pregnancy?

Radiculopathy is a set of conditions resulting from irritation or injury, causing pressure on the nerve root of a spinal nerve, the root being located near where the nerve exits the spine and its individual nerve cells (called neurons or fibers) synapse (connect) with neurons of the spinal cord. Commonly called a “pinched nerve,” the condition usually results from what is called a herniated (prolapsed) nucleus pulposus, meaning that the gelatinous central part of a disk between two vertebrae (intervertebral disc) slips out of place (a “slipped disc”). Other reasons include arthritis, bone spurs, or scar tissue from surgery, causing the opening through which the spinal nerve exits to narrow (foraminal stenosis), diabetes, and injuries to the nerve root itself. Radiculopathy is classified into cervical radiculopathy, thoracic radiculopathy, and lumbar radiculopathy, depending on whether the problem is along the cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back), or lumbar (lower back) region of the spine. Of these types, lumbar (also called lumbosacral) and cervical are the most common. If you have lumbar radiculopathy, pregnancy can exacerbate it, due to the increased stress on the lower back resulting from the growing womb.