Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Overview

4.6 out of 5 (13 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post Assessment Questions

5

Start Date

1 Jan 2021

Last Review Date

27 Feb 2024

Expiration Date

31 Dec 2023

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.

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.

Disclosures

The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they or their immediate family may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by CUSOM for resolution, to ensure fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

CUSOM will identify, review, and resolve all conflicts of interest that faculty, authors, activity directors, planners, managers, peer reviewers, or relevant staff disclose prior to an educational activity being delivered to learners. Disclosure of a relationship is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but is made to provide participants with information that might be of potential importance to their evaluation of a presentation. Disclosure information for authors, editors, planners, peer reviewers, and/or relevant staff is provided with this activity.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

 

 

The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. CUSOM designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.50 AOA Category 1 B Credits and will report CME credits commensurate with the extent of the physician's participation in the activity.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing and a money back guarantee is provided if not completely satisfied.

  • StatPearls and CUSOM reserve the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances. StatPearls and CUSOM will not be responsible for other expenses incurred by the participant in the unlikely event that the program is canceled.

Equal Opportunity

  • StatPearls and CUSOM are Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action / Equal Access Institutions. 

Medium or Media Used:

  • Computer Requirements:  Internet Access
  • E-mail Address

Instructions for Credit

  1. Register for the activity and create a StatPearls login.     
  2. Review the required accreditation information:  Target audience, learning objectives and disclosure information.
  3. Complete the entire self-study activity.
  4. Complete the post-test assessments.
  5. Successfully pass the post-test with a minimum score of 100%.
  6. Complete the evaluation form.
  7. Obtain a certificate.

StatPearls and CUSOM adheres to AOA Standards regarding commercial support of continuing medical education. It is the policy of StatPearls and Campbell that the faculty and planning committee disclose real or apparent conflicts of interest relating to the topics of this educational activity, that relevant conflict(s) of interest are resolved and also that authors and editors will disclose any unlabeled/unapproved use of drug(s) or device(s) during their presentation. Detailed disclosure will be made prior to starting the activity.

The information provided at this CME/CE 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.

This course is intended for osteopathic physicians who wish to earn AOA CME credit. Take this version of the course to ensure you receive appropriate credit.

 

 
 

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

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