brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Nerve Root Disorders
Treatment
Treatment of the cause Treatment of pain Surgery (usually as a last resort) Causes of nerve root disorders are treated when possible. For sudden, immediate pain, pain relievers (analgesics), such as Nonopioid Pain Relievers (NSAIDs), are used. If symptoms are not relieved, corticosteroids may be given by mouth or by injection into the space between the spine and the outer layer of tissue covering the spinal cord (called an epidural injection). However, with corticosteroids, pain relief tends to be modest and temporary. For Chronic Pain , treatment can be difficult. If the pain is unrelenting or if pressure on spinal nerves is causing muscle weakness or loss of sensation, surgery to relieve the pressure may be necessary. If compression of the cauda equina or the spinal cord causes urinary or fecal incontinence, surgery is usually necessary and is done promptly to prevent permanent damage. 