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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.

Lumbar Disc Herniation — Causes and Symptoms 

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.

Risk Factors that May Lead to Lumbar Disc Herniation Include the Following

• Excess weight: If you are obese, you may want to consider weight loss to alleviate lower back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation.
• Physically demanding job: Repetitive pushing, pulling, bending, lifting, and twisting increase your risk of a lumbar disc herniation.
• Genetics: If your parents or siblings suffer from lumbar disc herniation or back pain, you may have a higher risk of developing a herniated disc.
• Smoking: When you smoke, less oxygen circulates in your blood, resulting in a lower supply to your lumbar disc. Stop or reduce your smoking habit to improve blood flow and oxygen to the injured area.

Symptoms Indicating You Have a Lumbar Disc Herniation Include:

• Arm or leg pain: If you have a lumbar disc herniation, you may feel pain from the buttocks to your calves. If your herniated disk is in your lower back, you’ll typically feel the most pain in your buttocks, thighs, and calves.
• Numbness or tingling: If the herniated disc presses against your nerves, you may feel tingling or numbness on that side of your body.
• Weakness: The muscles and the impacted leg may weaken, causing you to stumble.

It’s important to note that you can have a lumbar disc herniation while showing no symptoms.

Seeking Relief: Treatment Options for Lumbar Disc Herniation 

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:

• Bed rest
• Client education regarding ways to perform tasks that reduce low back strain
• Weight loss
• Medication
• Physical therapy, including massage, ultrasound, and exercises
• Device for lumbosacral back support

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!

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