Lumbar disc herniation

What is a lumbar disc herniation?

To define what a lumbar disc herniation is, one must understand the anatomy of the spine, it is made up of the stacking of various segments of vertebrae.


The 5 vertebrae of the lower part constitute the lumbar spine which rests on the sacrum. Between each vertebra is a disk that serves as a shock absorber. It is composed of 2 parts, a central or nucleus and the other peripheral or ring. The ring acts as an envelope for the nucleus.


When the ring cracks or breaks, usually due to wear and tear. A part of the nucleus escapes from the annulus and can compress the nerve inside the spinal canal. We call this a herniated disc.


Lumbar disc herniations are very often associated with physical exertion but sometimes without a specific triggering circumstance.

Lumbar disc herniation symptoms

By compressing the nerve, some symptoms of lumbar disc herniation are:

    Lower back pain Pain in legs Pain in feet Loss of sensation Tingling Feeling of stiffness

Serious symptoms of lumbar disc herniation:

    Paralysis at the level of the foot (hanging foot) * Paralysis at the level of the knee (knee that slips or fails) * Urinary incontinence Anal incontinence Sexual impotence


* The importance of paralyzes (partial or total) is what dictates the severity of the hernia

These symptoms of herniated discs have to be evaluated in a correct and timely manner by a spine specialist.

How do I know if I have a lumbar disc herniation?

It is necessary that you go to the best specialists in herniated discs to review your case, first a physical examination is performed to assess sensitivity, in some cases the physical examination includes some simple tests such as walking, reflex evaluation. However, the diagnosis of herniated disc is carried out mainly by a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MRI) or a Computed Axial Tomography (CT or Scanner). In the absence of significant neurological involvement such as paralysis, there is no urgency to perform these tests. Once performed, these tests will allow the hernia to be visualized and explain the patient's pain.

How to cure lumbar disc herniation?

Treatments for lumbar disc herniation without surgery

In some cases herniated discs heal on their own, it is important to know that a herniated disc can be cured without surgery, in fact more than 80% of herniated discs can be cured in less than 2 months with medical treatment. This includes pain relievers and sometimes morphine. We can associate anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants. The association of these 3 drugs is the basis of conservative treatment and it is the only one that has so far shown formal proof of their efficacy. In case of paralysis, we always start with medical treatment. Other treatments that are frequently associated: • Rest but not constantly lying in bed. • Lumbar girdle with posterior reinforcement or a corset. • Physiotherapy for spinal problems, when the acute phase of pain has resolved, exercises for herniated discs are usually recommended. • Ozone therapy. • Other treatments such as acupuncture, mesotherapy, alternative medicine, discogel, etc., are NOT recommended because they have not been formally proven effective. It is during this 6-8 week wait (except in an emergency) that the hernias could produce painful symptoms and that they have not disappeared, so that you can start thinking about a surgical intervention. Certain lumbar hernias are painful even after a few months of evolution and can damage the nerve because it has been compressed and lead to permanent injuries that are difficult to treat.

How is surgery for lumbar disc hernias?

In some cases, as mentioned previously, it is necessary to resort to spinal surgery for herniated disc and thus provide a solution to the pain in the patient's spine.


Waiting too long without evaluating an intervention is never a good solution.


Many patients are often afraid of undergoing spinal interventions, it is normal, considering the amount of myths that exist around it. Herniated disc surgery does not imply any greater risk different from that of any surgical intervention.


Some spinal surgeries for lumbar disc herniation include:

    Percutaneous hernia removal Endoscopic surgery for herniated disc Microsurgery for lumbar disc herniation
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