Different Symptoms of a Ruptured Lumbar Disc
Vertebral or lumbar discs are hard plates located between the vertebrae that act as shock absorbers during movement and there are actually five of them that run from the bottom part of the rib cage down to the buttocks.
A ruptured lumbar disc can occur when the soft layer inside sticks out through the outer layer and compresses the nerves in the spinal cord. There are symptoms that you should look for in a ruptured lumbar disc. These are the following:
• Painful lower back
• Numbness
• Tingling sensation
• Pain in the buttocks down to the feet
• Pain during movement or straining (coughing or sneezing)
• Uncontrollable urination and bowel
Below are different causes and factors of a ruptured lumbar disc:
• Aging
• Injuries causing trauma to the spine
• Wearing of the spine from working (lifting heavy objects most of the time)
• Excessively overweight (obesity)
• Improper or poor body posture
Studies show that smoking increases risks of having a ruptured lumbar disc and also slows down its healing process.
Below are different tests performed to diagnose a ruptured lumbar disc:
• X-rays
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Myelogram
• Electromyogram
• Nerve studies
The objective of treating a ruptured lumbar disc is to lessen the pain and alleviate nerve irritation. Most cases of a ruptured lumbar disc heal without undergoing a surgery in 3 to 6 weeks. However, it will still require some treatments to recover. Below are different non-surgical treatments of a ruptured lumber disc:
• Rest or decrease in physical activities
• Hot and cold compress (therapy)
• Doctor-supervised medications
• Epidural steroid injections
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Traction
• Physical therapy or performing simple exercises
Surgery is the last option in treating a ruptured lumbar disc. It is typically performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots by removing the part of the disc that is causing the problem. Surgery can be either open or a minimally invasive type. Open surgeries like discectomy and spine fusion are both done under general anesthesia that involves incision in the back. There are surgeries that are less invasive like the following:
• Endoscopic
• Arthroscopic Discectomy
These types of surgery are performed under local anesthesia only because it involves a very small incision. Disc replacement is another surgical treatment option. These are the latest surgical procedures in treating a ruptured lumbar disc. To know more about the different methods of treating this condition, it is best that you consult a physician who specializes in spinal disorders.
