title: Do L5 and s1 nerve root compressions produce radicular pain in a dermatomal pattern?
abstract: METHODS
  Observational case series.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the pattern of distribution of radicular pain with published dermatome charts.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Dermatomal charts vary and previous studies have demonstrated significant individual subject variation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with radiologically and surgically proven nerve root compression (NRC) caused by prolapsed intervertebral disc completed computerized diagrams of the distribution of pain and pins and needles. Ninety-eight patients had L5 compressions and 83 had S1 compressions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distribution of pain and pins and needles did not correspond well with dermatomal patterns. Of those patients with L5 NRC, only 22 (22.4%) recorded any hits on the L5 dermatome on the front, and only 60 (61.2%) on the back with only 13 (13.3%) on both. Only 1 (1.0%) patient placed more than 50% of their hits within the L5 dermatome. Of those patients with S1 NRC, only 3 (3.6%) recorded any hits on the S1 dermatome on the front, and only 64 (77.1%) on the back with only 15 (18.1%) on both. No patients placed more than 50% of their hits within the S1 dermatome. Regarding pins and needles, 27 (29.7%) patients with L5 NRC recorded hits on the front alone, 27 (29.7%) on the back alone, and 14 (15.4%) on both. Nineteen (20.9%) recorded more than 50% of hits within the L5 dermatome. Three (3.6%) patients with S1 NRC recorded hits on the front alone, 44 (53.0%) on the back alone, and 18 (21.7%) on both. Twelve (14.5%) recorded more than 50% of hits within the S1 dermatome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient report is an unreliable method of identifying the anatomical source of pain or paresthesia caused by nerve root compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors: From the Department of Spinal Surgery, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK.
authors: Christopher S
authors: CS
authors: Taylor
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Coxon
authors: Paul C
authors: PC
authors: Watson
authors: Charles G
authors: CG
authors: Greenough
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012447:Sacrum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D057566:Self Report