Search
L5 radiculopathy
Etiology:
- L5 lumbar disc herniation
- involvement of L4-L5 disc
Pathology:
- involved muscles include:
- extensor hallicus longus
- anterior tibialis
- deep peroneal muscle
- extensor digitorum longus
- extensor digitorum brevis
- gluteus medius
- gluteus minimus
Clinical manifestations:
- back pain that radiates down the lateral thigh to the foot
- weakness in foot dorsiflexion, great toe extension, foot inversion, & foot eversion
- weakness of dorsiflexion of toes 2,3,4
- weakness of hip abduction
- positive straight leg raising (90% sensitivity)
- loss of sensation lateral leg, dorsum of foot, toes 2,3,4
- deep tendon reflexes are generally normal
Related
nerve root
General
radiculopathy
References
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 16,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2012