radiculopathy

noun ra·dic·u·lop·a·thy \ rə-ˌdi-kyə-ˈlä-pə-thē \

Definition of radiculopathy

: irritation of or injury to a nerve root (as from being compressed) that typically causes pain, numbness, or weakness in the part of the body which is supplied with nerves from that root

Origin and Etymology of radiculopathy

Latin radicula + English -o- + -pathy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1942

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

radiculopathy

noun ra·dic·u·lop·a·thy \ -ˈläp-ə-thē \

medical Definition of radiculopathy

plural radiculopathies

: irritation of or injury to a nerve root (as from being compressed) that typically causes pain, numbness, or weakness in the part of the body which is supplied with nerves from that root

…a compression radiculopathy of the left sixth cervical root.
—Daniel J. McCarty, The Journal of the American Medical Association, 15 Nov. 1985

In the absence of radiculopathies or nerve entrapments, treatment should be directed to mechanical and orthotic correction of postures …
—Laura K. Smith, Neurological Rehabiliation, 1990