Your spinal discs can be injured in an accident, through age-related conditions, such as arthritis, or from lifting and twisting in ways that stress out the back. The lumbar region is the most common area where the disc herniation occurs.
Let’s discuss the symptoms and treatments used to treat lumbar disc herniation.
Symptoms of Lumbar Herniation
Lumbar herniation causes back, leg, and buttock pain, and sometimes, leg weakness and numbness. Symptoms develop when the interior, gel-like nucleus of a disc protrudes or bulges through the outer fibrous capsule of the disc itself. One or more intervertebral discs may be affected by:
- Traumatic injury, such as a fall or blow to the lower back
- Osteoarthritis, or degeneration of the bony spinal column
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Excess body weight
- Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease associated with aging
- Back sprains and strains
- Spinal stenosis is a progressive narrowing of the spinal canal
Pain occurs when the disc material presses against nerves and blood vessels in the back.
Assessment of Lumbar Herniation
Many American adults experience lumbar herniation, particularly as they age. For most people, the symptoms are transitory or mild and don’t impact daily living.
However, for some individuals, a herniated intervertebral disc causes life-limiting problems, including pain, loss of strength, and in rare cases, loss of bladder and bowel function. Your spine doctor needs to know the location and extent of your symptoms, along with your medical history, to begin a careful back evaluation.
Further assessment can include an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan and:
- A nerve conduction test to determine the extent of damage to spinal nerves
- EMG, or electromyogram, evaluates the electrical activity of nerves and muscles in the injured area
Herniated Disc Treatment
For the most part, herniated discs in the lower back respond well to conservative symptoms management, including rest, changes in lifestyle, NSAIDS to reduce inflammation and discomfort, and a program of physical therapy. Spine doctors also recommend regular exercise (even walking helps realign the spine, controls body weight, and improves circulation and muscular strength) and smoking cessation.
Other people may need spinal surgery when conservative measures don’t work well. Fortunately, today’s spinal surgeries are far less invasive than in the past. For lumbar herniation, the surgery is called a microdiscectomy.
Microdiscectomy
A microdiscectomy relieves painful pressure on the spinal nerves by removing the damaged portion of the disc through a small incision. Alternatively, the doctor may elect to use an endoscope or a small tube equipped with a miniature video camera. This one-hour procedure requires general anesthesia, just a few sutures, and limited downtime.
Top-Notch Lumbar Disc Herniation Doctor in Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, and Bad Axe, MI
Dr. Bradley Ahlgren and his professional staff deliver treatment options for all areas of your spine. Dr. Ahlgren is board-certified and fellowship-trained in orthopedic spine surgery, and he’s known for his thorough assessments, excellent diagnostic and treatment skills, and compassionate, patient-centered attitude.
If you’re experiencing lower back symptoms and think you may have a lumbar herniation, do not delay. Call for an in-office evaluation at Ahlgren Spine Orthopaedic Surgery: (248) 215-8080, or request a visit by completing our online appointment form. We have locations in Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, and Bad Axe, MI.
