Lumbar radiculopathy (acute / chronic)

Definition/Description

Acute

Patient with acute spinal radicular symptoms of less than 16 weeks duration
 

Chronic

Patient with spinal radicular symptoms of more than 16 weeks duration 

Red Flag Symptoms

Motor loss present ≤ Grade 3 or CES symptoms - defer to Acute Motor Loss pathway or CES pathway 

Guidelines on Management

Acute

See flowchart A below
 

Chronic

See flowchart B below

Referral Criteria/Information

None provided

Associated Policies

There are no associated policies.

Specialties

Pain York

Places covered by

  • Vale of York

Hospital Trusts

  • York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals
Flowchart A: Acute Radicular Pathway
Flowchart A: Acute Radicular Pathway
Flowchart B: Chronic Radicular Pathway
Flowchart B: Chronic Radicular Pathway
Flowchart C: Post Transforaminal Injection Pathway
Flowchart C: Post Transforaminal Injection Pathway
Author:
Date created: 17/09/2025, 15:38
Last modified: 18/09/2025, 08:42
Date of review: