Lumbar Radiculopathy: Red Flags and Assessment Protocol
Lumbar radiculopathy is one of the few low back presentations in which a structural source can often be reasonably localised, and missing a red flag carries the greatest consequence.
Condition
Lumbar radiculopathy
Clinical reasoning, red flags, and conservative management for lumbar radiculopathy.
ICD-10-CM: M54.16
Lumbar radiculopathy happens when a nerve in the lower back is compressed or irritated, sending pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness down into the leg. It's often caused by a disc problem or age-related narrowing, and while the leg symptoms can be alarming, most cases settle without surgery.
Physiotherapy helps by calming the irritated nerve, keeping you moving within comfortable limits, and gradually restoring strength and confidence. In this guide we cover clinical reasoning, red-flag screening, and evidence-based conservative management for lumbar radiculopathy, practical for clinicians and clear enough for patients to understand what's driving their symptoms and what supports recovery.