L4 Nerve Root Impingement Symptoms

L4 nerve root impingement, also known as nerve compression, is a fairly common spinal condition, especially in older individuals. Located just under the L4 vertebra of the lumbar spine, the L4 nerve root plays an important role in the movement of your lower extremities. If it becomes impinged, you may experience a range of symptoms in the lower back, legs, and feet. 

Keep reading to learn more about L4 nerve root impingement symptoms, along with available treatments for this spinal condition.   

What Does the L4 Nerve Root Affect?

The L4 nerve root affects muscles throughout the back, legs, pelvis, thighs, and feet.

By supporting muscle function in these areas, the L4 nerve root is essential for normal movement in the lower extremities. It allows you to complete various basic activities, including standing and walking. The L4-L5 spinal level is also crucial to upper body motion, like twisting and bending. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve at L4?

Symptoms of a pinched nerve at L4 include sharp pain that radiates from the lower back to the lower extremities, back stiffness, and numbness, tingling, or weakness in the lower extremities. 

The symptoms of an L4 pinched nerve often radiate to the lower extremities because the impingement disrupts signals that move along the nerve. This can trigger pain and neurological symptoms, like numbness, tingling, and weakness, that move from the lower back to the hips, legs, and feet. 

Along with back pain, stiffness, and radiating symptoms, a pinched nerve at L4 can cause:

  • A lack of coordination in the legs and feet
  • A loss of reflexes in the lower extremities

Where Does L4 Nerve Pain Radiate?

L4 nerve pain radiates to the pelvis, legs, and feet. More specifically, radiating pain from the L4 nerve usually affects the inner surfaces of the lower extremities. 

Does Nerve Root Impingement Go Away?

Nerve root impingement usually goes away, either with rest and at-home care or professional medical treatment. 

Can Nerve Root Impingement Go Away on its Own?

Nerve root impingement can go away on its own in mild cases. When the nerve compression is mild, four to six weeks of rest and at-home care may be sufficient to alleviate your symptoms. In this period, your body will work to heal and regenerate the damaged nerve tissue. 

When Can’t Nerve Root Impingement Heal on Its Own?

Moderate to severe cases of nerve root impingement generally can’t heal on their own. These cases typically require physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, or surgical intervention (in severe cases) for pain management. These treatments also support your body’s healing process by alleviating pressure and excessive inflammation. 

Signs that your L4 pinched nerve may not heal on its own include:

  • Your symptoms are severe. 
  • Your pain doesn’t improve after several days of rest and at-home care. 
  • You experience sudden muscle weakness. 
  • Your pain is persistent or returns after short periods of relief. 

Regain your mobility with Premia Spine!

David danced at his son’s wedding

Bonnie explains why TOPS surgery was the right decision for her

Wade is back to hiking

Scott speaks about going to surgery

Regain your mobility with Premia Spine! Contact us now

How Do You Treat L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement?

You can treat L4-L5 nerve root impingement with physical therapy, chiropractic care, heat/cold therapy, lifestyle modifications, pain medications, steroid injections, and surgery. 

Physical Therapy for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

As a drug-free, non-invasive treatment, physical therapy is often implemented for L4-L5 nerve root impingement of all severities. It involves PT-recommended stretches and strengthening exercises to reduce impact on the affected nerve root. Your PT can also help correct imbalances in your movement patterns that may be exacerbating the issue. 

Chiropractic Care for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Chiropractic care uses manual therapies to improve spinal alignment, circulation, and overall health. Your chiropractor may implement a variety of methods to treat lumbar nerve compression, including:

  • Manual spinal adjustments to correct misalignments, boost blood flow to the damaged nerve, and stimulate the body’s healing natural process 
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises to improve support for the spine and reduce tension
  • Lifestyle recommendations 

Heat and Cold Therapy for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Heat and cold therapy are effective, time-tested remedies that you can do at home. Whether you have mild, moderate, or severe nerve root impingement, heat and cold therapy can help lessen inflammation and pain. 

  • Cold therapy works by constricting blood vessels and numbing the area, providing pain relief while reducing inflammation. 
  • Heat therapy works by reducing muscle tension, increasing blood flow to the area, and improving flexibility. 

Lifestyle Modifications for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Adjusting certain aspects of your lifestyle can significantly improve your body’s ability to heal an injured nerve root, including:

  • Quitting smoking
  • Reaching a healthy weight
  • Improving your posture
  • Avoiding high-impact activities that hurt your back

Pain Medications for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Pain medications can help manage symptoms of lumbar nerve compression. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription pain medications, depending on your condition’s severity. However, it’s generally not advisable to use pain medications as a long-term solution for nerve impingement, as they’re associated with side effects and other risks. 

Steroid Injections for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Steroid injections may be used to improve pain and inflammation associated with an impinged nerve root. The steroid medication works by temporarily curbing the immune response.

Steroid injections aren’t always the best treatment option for spinal conditions, as they don’t provide permanent pain relief. Additionally, overusing steroid injections can lead to tissue atrophy. Your doctor will strategize with you to determine if it’s the right option for you. 

Surgery for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Back surgery is usually only required for severe L4-L5 nerve root impingement. Your doctor is unlikely to suggest surgical intervention unless your symptoms don’t improve after six to 12 months of conservative treatment. 

Surgical procedures for L4-L5 nerve root impingement may include:

How Do You Unpinch an L4 Nerve?

To unpinch an L4 nerve, it’s important to rest the area, manage inflammation, stay active with low-impact exercise, and follow all of your doctor’s instructions. 

Relief from L4 nerve root impingement is possible with help from a trusted physician. Don’t hesitate to book an evaluation if your pain doesn’t go away within a few weeks.