Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Masquerading as Localized Heel Pain

Thursday, November 13, 2025

5:41 PM - 5:49 PM CT

Location: Griffin Hall - Screen 06

Introduction: Differentiating lumbosacral radiculopathy from primary lower extremity pain can be challenging for even the most astute clinician. Radiculopathy is classically taught as pain radiating down a dermatome at the level of the herniation with motor weakness, sensory loss, or diminished reflexes. Localized pain is typically associated with primary lower extremity pathology such as articular, myofascial, or vascular-related etiologies. We present a case of focal lower extremity pain found to be primarily related to lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Submitting Author(s)

CM

Cole J. McDonald, MD

Resident Physician
Medical College of Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, United States

Co-Author(s)

TK

Thomas Kotsonis, MD

Attending Physician
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals PM&R Program
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
KE

Kevin Ezema, MS4

Medical Student
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals PM&R Program, United States