Lumbar ridiculopathy occurs when there is an impingement of a nerve in the lower back. This can cause pain, weakness and neurological symptoms such as numbness or pins and needles.

Lumbar ridiculopathy is caused by a change in the structure of the lumbar spine (lower back) which creates compression of a nerve. This compression causes symptoms.

Physiotherapy can resolve symptoms in most cases and a full recovery can be made. If physiotherapy is not effective then injections can be used to treat the problem. If this is also unsuccessful then surgery can be used to correct the problem. Physiotherapy is important in rehabilitation from surgery.