The lumbar discs are located in your lower back. If one or more of these discs rupture, you may have a herniated or bulging disc. As a result, you will have lower back pain and may experience tingling, numbness, and sciatica pain. Some clients describe this as a shooting pain that goes all the way down the leg.
Learn more about the causes and symptoms of lumbar disc herniation and how we treat it using surgical and nonsurgical remedies.
Age-related wear and tear can degenerate one or more lumbar vertebrae. As you get older, you lose some flexibility in the discs, and they can sometimes tear or rupture at the slightest twist or strain. In fact, you may not know you injured your back until you feel a sharp pain that doesn’t go away.
We recommend using your thigh muscles to take on the brunt of the work when you lift heavy objects. Avoid sharply twisting and turning if you carry something heavy. This can prevent damaging a lumbar disc. Sometimes, a fall or other injury can cause lumbar disc herniation.
It’s important to note that you can have a lumbar disc herniation while showing no symptoms.
We can recommend several types of conservative therapy that may help you avoid surgery. If these methods fail to relieve your pain, Dr. Lewis may recommend surgery to alleviate your discomfort.
Conservative therapy options include the following:
If these and other conservative treatment methods fail, you may need surgery to replace the herniated disc. During the surgery, you receive general anesthesia, and the surgeon makes an incision over the area of the impacted lumbar disc. If necessary, the surgeon removes bone to reach the herniated disc. Finally, the surgeon removes the damaged part of the disc and any loose pieces.
You receive written and oral instructions for what to expect after the surgery. It may take several weeks for your back to heal, and you should follow any restrictions recommended by the doctor.
Dr. Lewis is a top neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive spinal surgery. If he recommends this type of surgery for your condition, you can rest assured that you will experience faster healing times and less blood loss. When it comes to artificial discs and motion preservation, Dr. Lewis is a recognized expert in the field. With over three decades of experience, he specializes in using the latest equipment and methods to help patients recover their mobility.
Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic in Jackson, MS has helped many patients with lumbar disc herniations achieve reduced pain and greater mobility using traditional and minimally invasive surgical techniques and nonsurgical therapies. Make an appointment online or call us today at (601) 366-1011. We’ll find a solution that works for you!