Radiculopathy is a term used to describe pain that radiates through the upper or lower extremities. Radiculopathy is not a spinal condition but rather a symptom of an underlying spinal condition. Radiculopathy can be classified into two different categories- cervical and lumbar.
Cervical radiculopathy is damage or irritation to the nerve roots between the vertebrae in the cervical spine (neck). When the nerve root becomes irritated or impinged it may manifest as pain that travels from the cervical spine into the shoulders, arms or fingers.
Lumbar radiculopathy is damage or irritation to the nerve roots between the vertebrae in the lumbar spine (lower back). When the nerve root becomes irritated or impinged it may manifest as pain that travels from the lumbar spine into the hips, buttocks, legs and feet.
Another common symptoms is the feeling of numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet or toes.