[Radicular and pseudo-radicular pain syndrome]

Degenerative disease of the spine is one of the most common causes of leg pain. Disc degeneration leads to disk herniation, narrowing of the spinal canal and segmental instability. Clinically we can find a radicular syndrome, a pseudoradicular syndrome and/or a neurogenic claudication. After a short review of the anatomy and pathogenesis of degenerative spinal disease the signs and symptoms of each syndrome is presented. Illustrations and tables help understand the characteristics of each topic. The postoperative lumbosciatica is also discussed including frequent causes like recurrent disk herniations, scars, neurogenic pain and spondylodiscitis. Finally a short overview of therapeutic options will be given.