Radiculitis or Radicular Pain, is transferred pain "radiated" along the path of a nerve due to pressure on the nerve root at its connection to the spinal column. A common form of radiculitis issciatica, or radicular pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve from the lower spine to the lower back, gluteal muscles, back of the upper thigh, calf, and foot as often caused by nerve root compression from a lumbar disc herniation or bone spurs in the lumbar region of the spine.

Symptoms

The symptoms of radiculitis may change from one patient to the next, depending on which nerve root is affected. For example, if the nerve root connected to L5 in the lumbar region is compromised, a classic symptom is numbness in the big toe and on the big toe's side of the foot. The outside of the calf may feel and the hip flexor may also experience severe pain. These are all regions that the sciatic nerve (connected to L5) runs through. 
Patients suffering from L5 radiculitis may have difficulty finding a comfortable position. Many have had success draping themselves (belly down) over a large medicine ball (the sort you see in health clubs) with their knees on the ground. This position provides a minor degree of traction for the back (taking some of the pressure off the nerve). 
Seeking treatment for radiculitis should not be delayed. Depending on the severity, certain muscles (i.e. muscles in the toes, feet and calves) may start to atrophy over time, which in turn requires physical therapy for recovery. Also, radiculitis is known to cause patients to "favor" certain muscles or a certain side of their body which can result in the over-development of those muscles relative to the ones that don't get used as much.