radiculopathy

noun

ra·​dic·​u·​lop·​a·​thy rə-ˌdi-kyə-ˈlä-pə-thē How to pronounce radiculopathy (audio)
plural radiculopathies
: irritation of or injury to a spinal nerve root (as from being compressed) that typically causes pain, numbness, or muscle weakness in the part of the body which is supplied with nerves from that root : a pinched nerve of the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar region of the spinal column
Among patients with acute radiculopathy due to a herniated lumbar disk, a short course of oral steroids, compared with placebo, resulted in modestly improved function …Harley Goldberg et al.
In clinical epidemiology, 80% of cervical radiculopathies involve C6 or C7 roots.Masaya Mizutamari et al.

Examples of radiculopathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tam is specifically addressing cervical radiculopathy, one of the most common causes of a pinched nerve in your neck. Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 17 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'radiculopathy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin radicula + English -o- + -pathy

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of radiculopathy was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near radiculopathy

Cite this Entry

“Radiculopathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radiculopathy. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

radiculopathy

noun
ra·​dic·​u·​lop·​a·​thy -ˈläp-ə-thē How to pronounce radiculopathy (audio)
plural radiculopathies
: irritation of or injury to a spinal nerve root (as from being compressed) that typically causes pain, numbness, or muscle weakness in the part of the body which is supplied with nerves from that root : a pinched nerve of the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar region of the spinal column
… a compression radiculopathy of the left sixth cervical root.Daniel J. McCarty, The Journal of the American Medical Association
In the absence of radiculopathies or nerve entrapments, treatment should be directed to mechanical and orthotic correction of postures …Laura K. Smith, Neurological Rehabiliation
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