What is a Lumbar Disc Herniation?
Intervertebral discs have two components: the outer layer made of thick, dense, strong collagen and the inner material which is made of soft, spongy material. Lumbar disc herniation occurs when the softer inner contents rupture backwards into the spinal canal and presses on the posterior longitudinal ligament. This most frequently occurs at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels, but disc herniation can occur at any level in the lumbar spine. Disc herniation can occur during strenuous activity such as lifting heavy objects, but sometimes occurs during routine activity such as getting out of bed.
What Symptoms Does Cervical Disc Herniation Cause?
Lumbar disc herniation can cause back pain, burning leg pain, and/or numbness, tingling sensation, muscle spasm, or weakness in the leg. Often, a combination of the above symptoms will occur with a disc herniation.
Often, a disc herniation is excruciatingly painful for the first few days to weeks following the herniation. Typically, within ninety days of herniation, symptoms and severe pain for symptomatic lumbar disc herniations have improved significantly on their own, if not completely resolved.
How is Herniated Disc in Lumbar Spine Diagnosed?
A spine specialist can suspect lumbar disc herniation based on the symptoms a patient reports and physical examination. However, confirmation of the diagnosis requires advanced imaging, typically in the form of a lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Normally, a treatment plan is initiated before obtaining an MRI. Dr. Wheeler can offer his advice.
How is Lumbar Disc Herniation Treated?
There are some treatments that can be done to expedite recovery. These include anti-inflammatory and pain medications, physical therapy, and the occasional use of epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation within the spinal nerve itself. For patients who still have severe symptoms that interfere with quality of life after conservative management, a Dallas spine surgery is worth discussing with a spine surgeon. The surgical procedure to treat lumbar disc herniation is usually a microdiscectomy.
Let’s Talk About Your Options
If you’re trying to decide whether surgery makes sense — or just want to understand what recovery would look like for your specific situation — that’s exactly the kind of conversation I have in consultation.
