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

More general terms

• radiculopathy

Additional terms

• nerve root