Lumbar disc prolapse (LDP) is a common disorder where the lumbar spine collapses due to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a mass of tissue located in the lower back. The herniated nucleus pulposus may cause pain, stiffness, and weakness in the lower back and/or leg. LDP is often diagnosed during routine examination after complaints of back pain or leg pain. Treatment typically includes surgery to remove the herniated nucleus pulposus.
What is a lumbar disc prolapse?
Disc prolapse is the dislocation of a disc from its normal position in the lumbar spine.
To understand the cause of a lumbar disc prolapse, it is important to understand the anatomy of the lumbar spine and where a herniated disc occurs.
What is the lumbar spine?
The lumbar spine is made up of five vertebrae in the lower back. It connects to the pelvis at the lumbo-pelvic junction.
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc is a bulging, or prolapsed, disc that has become inflamed and irritated due to the constant friction of the weight of the lumbar spine.
What are some symptoms of a lumbar disc prolapse?
The symptoms of a herniated disc in the lumbar spine include: a dull, low back pain that radiates to the buttocks or leg a loss of feeling that is accompanied by numbness. The leg or sacral nerve may be affected. a leg pain that radiates from the lower back to the bottom of the thigh a sensation of weakness, tingling and numbness in the legs The pain may radiate to the buttocks or leg on one side and then spread to the other side. The symptoms may come and go, or they may be constant. The pain is most severe when lying down or sitting.
What causes a herniated disc in the lumbar spine?
A herniated disc is likely to occur if there have been previous injuries to the spine, such as a fracture or sprain. It may also occur if the back muscles are weak and in poor condition. The pressure on the nerve root caused by the herniation causes pain in the leg.
How is a lumbar disc prolapse treated?
Treatment of Lumbar Disc Prolapse. A lumbar disc prolapse can be treated using physical therapy, medications and surgery.
Physical therapy The physical therapist will work to strengthen the lower back muscles. A physical therapist may also stretch the muscles in the leg that are causing pain.
Medicines The back pain caused by a lumbar disc prolapse can be treated with medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Surgery Surgery is the best treatment for lumbar disc prolapse. The surgeon will remove the bulging disc and replace it with a device called an intervertebral disc replacement.
What are the long-term effects of a lumbar disc prolapse surgery? After surgery, many people find that they can return to their normal activities. Some may experience some stiffness or pain after the surgery. But most people regain full function of their back within two weeks.
How do I prepare for my lumbar disc prolapse surgery?
In addition to the normal pre-operative physical exam, you may have some tests, such as an MRI scan or a CT scan. You will be given a pain medication and sedation so that you do not feel any pain during the surgery.
What are the risks associated with a lumbar disc prolapse surgery?
The risks of surgery include bleeding, infection, and nerve damage. There are also some minor complications that may occur during the procedure, such as a blood clot or bruising /edema at the site. These problems are rare but may occur.
How is the prognosis for a lumbar disc prolapse surgery?
The prognosis for a lumbar disc prolapse surgery is excellent. Most people who have this surgery experience no long-term effects from the procedure. There may be some numbness or weakness in your legs and buttocks, but these effects are usually temporary.
What is the recovery time for a lumbar disc prolapse surgery?
The recovery time for a lumbar disc prolapse is usually very short. Most people can go back to work within a day or two of surgery.
Conclusion: Lumbar disc herniation (lumbago) is a common injury to the back caused by an excessive amount of pressure on the spinal disc. This can be caused by a fall on the back, a lifting injury, or from sitting for long periods of time. As the spine is the center of movement in your body, this problem can cause pain and numbness that travels into the legs and buttocks. The main treatments for lumbar disc herniation are: - Physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the spine and to help you get better mobility and Surgery to fix or relieve pressure on the spinal discs.
For more information , you can contact our guest author Dr Prateek Singh- MS (Orthopedics ) at 9871585456
Very informative article..