“I Think I Have A Lumbar Herniated Disc”

 
 
There are several types of lower back pain. Some patients are afflicted with sciatica, while others experience age-related degeneration. Some pains are acute, such as a sprain that will improve, and other pains are chronic and need medical intervention. A lumbar herniated disc is one of the latter. It is common, painful and entirely treatable.

What is the lumbar region?
The lumbar region of your spine is your lower back. The spine is comprised of individual bones called vertebrae, each of which is separated by a spinal disc.
 
What is a spinal disc?
Spinal discs are rubbery pads that act as cushions between your vertebrae. The discs are wrapped in many strong layers of connective tissues, and in the middle of the disc lies a soft jelly-like substance.

 
“WHAT’S GOING ON?”
A lumbar herniated disc occurs in the lower back, or lumbar region of the spine. The lumbar region is comprised of many vertebrae, each of which is separated by a spinal disc. Each disc is flat, circular, and about an inch in diameter and one-quarter inch thick. Discs are firmly held in place by the ligaments connecting the vertebrae and the surrounding muscle, and there is very little room for disks to move. Inside the disc lies a soft jelly-like substance, capable of changing shape. In the unfortunate event that a crack occurs in the tough outer layer of cartilage, some of the soft inner cartilage will protrude out of the disc — and that is your herniated lumbar disc. This crack can occur through overexertion, a fall, unhealthy body weight, smoking, repetitive stress or age-related wear and tear.
 
 
“DOES IT HURT?”
You will soon experience symptoms — although it’s not exactly the disc that you’re feeling but the corollary effect on the surrounding nerves. Signs include numbness, muscle weakness, discomfort and radiating pain that travels through an arm or leg. Symptoms can be exacerbated by sitting, bending forward, coughing or sneezing and lifting.
 
 
“WHAT SHOULD I DO?” 
Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center offers several minimally invasive, outpatient procedures — including discectomy — for the treatment of lumbar herniated disc symptoms and other forms of neck and back pain. Our minimally invasive spine surgery is often the clinically appropriate first choice and provides many advantages over open back surgery.
 
 

Dr. Sukdeb Datta of Datta Endoscopic is a highly regarded and widely published specialist. Dr. Datta’s clinical interests have been wide ranging and focused on finding innovative solutions to complex clinical problems associated with chronic pain and spine issues. He believes in constantly evolving and intellectually advancing the field by incorporating the best clinical research and practice using the appropriate evidence-based approach and at the same time incorporating the best in translational pain research.

In cases of persisting or worsening neurological, surgery may be indicated. When a loss of bowel or bladder control is present due to the disc bulge, this is considered a medical emergency and immediate surgical intervention is usually required. This blog should not take the place of in-person medical treatment. Consult Datta Endoscopic or your physician for a personalized medical diagnosis and treatment plan.