Lumbar Herniated Disc PDF Print E-mail

 
Herniated Disc / Sciatica

Lumbar Herniated Disc and Sciatica are common spine conditions.  A “herniated disc” occurs when disc material extends or “herniates” beyond its normal anatomic margins.  Significant back pain, radiating leg pain, numbness and muscle weakness can occur when pieces of herniated disc material compress or inflame nerves (radiculopathy).  “Sciatica” describes pain radiating down the back of the thigh – the location of the sciatic nerve.  Sciatica frequently occurs when nerve roots forming the sciatic nerve are compressed by herniated discs.  

 

Herniated Disc / Sciatica Treatment

Treatment for herniated discs and sciatica depends on a combination of factors including the duration and severity of symptoms, pain level, neurologic findings such as numbness and muscle weakness, and MRI findings.  Most patients can reasonably choose from a spectrum of treatment options depending on their individual circumstances.   Many patients experience significant relief of symptoms with basic non-surgical treatments including medications, or “midlevel treatment” with epidural steroid injections.  In more severe or prolonged cases, a Microdiscectomy is appropriately considered.

 

Learn More - Watch Herniated Disc Video


Microdiscectomy:

Learn more about this minimally invasive technique.

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Real Patient Stories: 

Read and learn from others who have experienced herniated discs.

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Science Journals: 

Recent articles compare treatment options for herniated discs.  

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Latest News

From The Spine Journals

 

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Surgical or Nonoperative Treatment for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?  A Randomized Controlled Trial Malmivaara et. al. Spine Volume 32, Number 1, pp1-8


In this study from Finland, 94 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were randomly assigned to either surgical treatment or nonoperative treatment.  All patients had symptoms of back pain radiating into the legs with fatigue and numbness worsened by walking.  This group of patient’s symptoms were felt to fall in a middle range where either surgical or nonsurgical treatment could reasonably be considered.

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