Lumbar Herniated Disc

The lumbar spine condition where the inner core of the disc present in the spine leaks out through the outer portion and causes lower back pain is called disc herniation. When this condition occurs in the disc present in the lumbar region of the spinal column it is called as lumbar herniated disc.

The usual causes of lumbar herniated disc include:

  • Wear and tear of discs that is also known as disc degeneration
  • The natural process of aging that brings about degenerative changes in the spine
  • Spinal injuries that may occur when a heavy strain is put on the lower back, for example a sudden twisting movement.   Also, herniated disc can occur when a person does activities that are repetitive and put strain on the back.

Lumbar Herniated Disc Symptoms

Lumbar Herniated DiscLumbar herniated symptoms include one or a combination of the below mentioned indications:

  • Lower back pain that radiates and trickle down to the legs
  • Leg pain that may occur with or without lower back pain. This leg pain occurs when the sciatica nerve is compressed and this pain is also known as sciatica nerve pain
  • Leg pain that is worse than lumbar back pain
  • Feeling of numbness and weakness in the leg
  • Tingling sensation in the leg
  • Pain in the buttock
  • In severe cases patient may also suffer from loss of bladder and bowel control. This condition is known as cauda equina syndrome and is an indication of something serious.

Surgery

Usually lumbar herniated disc treatments include non-surgical options. However, when the condition does not improve with these options as well as recurrent disc herniation occurs, surgery becomes the only option. Microdiscectomy or microdecompression is the surgical technique used for the treatment of lumbar herniated disc surgery.