Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Overview

4.6 out of 5 (14 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Pharmacology Credits

0.5

Post Assessment Questions

5

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

27 Feb 2024

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

Low back pain is a pervasive musculoskeletal complaint and one of the prevalent issues encountered in clinical practice. Given its prevalence and impact, the broad spectrum of differential diagnoses for low back pain includes lumbosacral radiculopathy—the leading cause of disability in the developed world for individuals aged 45 and younger. Lumbosacral radiculopathy is characterized by pain resulting from compression or irritation of nerve roots in the lumbosacral region of the spine, along with numbness, weakness, and reflex changes. This condition can manifest without overt lumbar pain, making its recognition crucial for timely intervention. The condition often arises due to degenerative changes such as disc herniation, ligamentum flavum changes, facet hypertrophy, or spondylolisthesis, leading to nerve root compression.

Diagnosis involves a thorough physical examination, including tests such as the Lasègue test, and may require magnetic resonance imaging if symptoms persist despite conservative approaches such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and gabapentin. Effective management often necessitates the involvement of an interprofessional healthcare team to enhance patient outcomes. This activity meticulously reviews the pathophysiology, symptomatology, and clinical presentation of lumbosacral radiculopathy, elucidating the diagnosis and differential considerations of the condition. This activity also highlights the essential roles of the interprofessional healthcare team in the comprehensive management of lumbosacral radiculopathy, underscoring the significance of recognizing lumbosacral radiculopathy, even in the absence of overt lumbar pain, to ensure timely intervention. By enhancing patient outcomes and fostering effective collaborative care, clinicians can better address the needs of individuals experiencing this complex pain syndrome.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the key anatomical structures and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in lumbosacral radiculopathy.

  • Screen patients presenting with low back pain for red-flag symptoms indicative of emergent conditions associated with lumbosacral radiculopathy.

  • Implement evidence-based conservative management strategies for patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

  • Collaborate with interprofessional healthcare team members to coordinate care transitions and optimize the comprehensive treatment of patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy.

  • Outline the pharmacologic therapy as it applies to Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurse Practitioners: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.50 ANCC contact hour(s), which includes 0.5 hour(s) of pharmacology. NPs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Christine C. on 4/15/2021

Zinon P. on 9/18/2021

Vijay A. on 3/20/2022

hary a. on 9/25/2022

“Neuroleptic” generally refers to antipsychotic meds. Gabapentin is an antiepileptic.

Raymond A. on 11/14/2022

Daniel R. on 12/19/2022

Skyler S. on 1/26/2023

Zachary W. on 12/21/2023

Zachary P. on 12/28/2023

Melissa B. on 12/29/2023

Diego C. on 1/2/2024

Andrea B. on 1/26/2024

Helean Z. on 3/9/2024

THAN A. on 4/18/2024

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