management of nerve root pain
Last reviewed 04/2021
- nerve root pain should be initially (and if resolving) treated as acute
simple back pain
- if nerve root pain is very severe then the GP should consider urgent referral
for inpatient analgesia
- if the nerve root pain is not resolving within 4-6 weeks then GP should
consider referral to orthopaedics etc (as per locally agreed guidelines) (1)
- if features of cauda equina syndrome present then urgent (telephone) referral to orthopaedics/ neurosurgey etc.
Reference:
- ARC - Reports on Rheumatic Diseases (1999), 17, 1-4.