‘Life on hold’: the lived experience of radicular symptoms. A qualitative, interpretative inquiry
‘Life on hold’: the lived experience of radicular symptoms. A qualitative, interpretative inquiry
Background: Patients with radicular symptoms can experience high levels of pain and disability with at least a third experiencing on-going symptoms 12 months after onset. Aims: To explore ‘what matters’ about living with radicular symptoms at the point of seeing a spinal specialist and to consider how care can be aligned to best address need. Methods: In this qualitative study, based on the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis, 14 participants with a clinical presentation of radicular symptoms were purposively recruited from an NHS, Musculoskeletal Service in the UK. Individual, semi-structured interviews were undertaken, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were managed using a Framework approach and analysed thematically. Findings: Radicular symptoms were experienced as a protracted journey of acute exacerbations of symptoms that were difficult to make sense of. Adversely affecting almost all aspects of life, participants struggled to maintain their physical and functional independence; their important relationships; social networks and the roles and activities that provided joy and purpose. The impact of radicular symptoms was a ‘life on hold’ and an uncertain future, and 3/14 reported suicidal thoughts. Conclusions: This paper, the first to focus on the lived experience of radicular symptoms at the point of seeing a spinal specialist, reveals the severity and devastating impact of radicular symptoms. Important implications have been identified regarding the need for clinicians to legitimise the symptoms and impact of radicular symptoms; to identify early those patients who might benefit from injection/surgery; and to signpost appropriate patients to sources of psychological support.
Low back pain, Patient experience, Qualitative research, Radiculopathy, Sciatica, Suicidal ideation
51-57
Ryan, Clare
9717a202-01e9-41b1-b2f3-44a08e1232fd
Roberts, Lisa
0a937943-5246-4877-bd6b-4dcd172b5cd0
1 February 2019
Ryan, Clare
9717a202-01e9-41b1-b2f3-44a08e1232fd
Roberts, Lisa
0a937943-5246-4877-bd6b-4dcd172b5cd0
Ryan, Clare and Roberts, Lisa
(2019)
‘Life on hold’: the lived experience of radicular symptoms. A qualitative, interpretative inquiry.
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 39, .
(doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2018.11.005).
Abstract
Background: Patients with radicular symptoms can experience high levels of pain and disability with at least a third experiencing on-going symptoms 12 months after onset. Aims: To explore ‘what matters’ about living with radicular symptoms at the point of seeing a spinal specialist and to consider how care can be aligned to best address need. Methods: In this qualitative study, based on the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis, 14 participants with a clinical presentation of radicular symptoms were purposively recruited from an NHS, Musculoskeletal Service in the UK. Individual, semi-structured interviews were undertaken, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were managed using a Framework approach and analysed thematically. Findings: Radicular symptoms were experienced as a protracted journey of acute exacerbations of symptoms that were difficult to make sense of. Adversely affecting almost all aspects of life, participants struggled to maintain their physical and functional independence; their important relationships; social networks and the roles and activities that provided joy and purpose. The impact of radicular symptoms was a ‘life on hold’ and an uncertain future, and 3/14 reported suicidal thoughts. Conclusions: This paper, the first to focus on the lived experience of radicular symptoms at the point of seeing a spinal specialist, reveals the severity and devastating impact of radicular symptoms. Important implications have been identified regarding the need for clinicians to legitimise the symptoms and impact of radicular symptoms; to identify early those patients who might benefit from injection/surgery; and to signpost appropriate patients to sources of psychological support.
Text
Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of interacting with patients of South Asian origin attending early inflammatory arthritis clinics
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 11 November 2018
e-pub ahead of print date: 23 November 2018
Published date: 1 February 2019
Keywords:
Low back pain, Patient experience, Qualitative research, Radiculopathy, Sciatica, Suicidal ideation
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 428986
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/428986
ISSN: 2468-8630
PURE UUID: 2d9a6fbd-3d78-4607-a878-1191de02a98c
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Date deposited: 15 Mar 2019 17:30
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 05:21
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Author:
Clare Ryan
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