Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: Neurologic Features

LUMBOSACRAL NERVE ROOTS	EXAMINATION FINDINGS			PAIN DISTRIBUTION
Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: Neurologic Features
LUMBOSACRAL NERVE ROOTS	REFLEX	SENSORY	MOTOR	PAIN DISTRIBUTION
L2^a	-	Upper anterior thigh	Psoas (hip flexors)	Anterior thigh
L3^a	-	Lower anterior thigh	Psoas (hip flexors)	Anterior thigh, knee
		Anterior knee	Quadriceps (knee extensors)
		Anterior knee	Thigh adductors
L4^a	Quadriceps (knee)	Medial calf	Quadriceps (knee extensors)^b	Knee, medial calf
L4^a	Quadriceps (knee)	Medial calf	Thigh adductors	Anterolateral thigh
L5^c	-	Dorsal surface-foot	Peronei (foot evertors)^b	Lateral calf, dorsal foot, posterolateral thigh, buttocks
		Lateral calf	Tibialis anterior (foot dorsiflexors)
			Gluteus medius (hip abductors)
			Toe dorsiflexors
S1^c	Gastrocnemius/soleus (ankle)	Plantar surface-foot	Gastrocnemius/soleus (foot plantar flexors)^b	Bottom foot, posterior calf, posterior thigh, buttocks
		Lateral aspect-foot	Abductor hallucis (toe flexors)^b
		Lateral aspect-foot	Gluteus maximus (hip extensors)

^a Reverse straight leg-raising sign present.

^b These muscles receive the majority of innervation from this root.

^c Straight leg-raising sign present.