Lumbar disc herniation symptoms

Written by Qiu Xiang Zhong

Orthopedics

Updated on September 26, 2024

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Patients with lumbar disc herniation can exhibit a variety of clinical symptoms which may differ according to age, gender, duration of illness, and the location of the herniation. Among these, back pain is a symptom that occurs in over 90% of the patients. The pain is primarily located in the lower back and the sacral area, most commonly presenting as persistent dull pain. Another common symptom is radiating pain in the lower limbs, which may extend from the lower back and buttocks to the back of the thigh, front or back of the calf, all the way to the heel. The nature of the pain is primarily radiating and piercing. Additionally, there may be reduced sensory and motor functions in the lower limbs as well as cauda equina syndrome symptoms.

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Written by Lv Yao

Orthopedics

42sec

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Is running good for lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation is due to the degeneration of the lumbar spine. It results in symptoms from the herniation pressing down on the nerve roots, or the spinal cord, through a rupture in the fibrous ring. The disc mainly serves to cushion and absorb shock in the lumbar region. During running, the load on the lumbar spine and the compression are significantly greater compared to normal walking. Running might exacerbate the condition of herniated discs. Therefore, it is not recommended to engage in running, jumping or similar activities if suffering from a disc herniation. Swimming can be a preferable form of exercise that lessens the load on the lumbar spine.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 28sec

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Can lumbar disc herniation be treated with an injection block?

Lumbar disc herniation can be treated with an injection, which mainly uses caudal epidural steroid injections. This approach has a certain therapeutic effect but is limited. For example, it may relieve the patient's pain for about a week, after which symptoms may gradually reappear. I believe that this treatment method is more about addressing the symptoms rather than the root cause. For ineffective conservative treatments, such as resting on a hard bed, applying local heat, minimizing prolonged sitting, and lying down as much as possible except for going to the toilet or eating, symptoms will generally gradually alleviate over about 10-14 days. This can be combined with drugs that promote blood circulation and relieve pain, and drugs that nourish the nerves, as well as some diuretic drugs to relieve the pressure on the intervertebral discs. This can alleviate the stimulation of the nerve roots by the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs, affecting nerves from L4 to S3, which may cause numbness and pain in the back of the thighs, the dorsum of the calves, or feet. The symptoms vary depending on the stage of compression but the difference isn't significantly large. For cases where conservative treatment or injections are ineffective, we can consider interventional surgeries like ozone nucleolysis, which are currently performed skillfully with minimal damage and quick recovery. You can consult a hospital for more information.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 32sec

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Is a herniated lumbar disc serious?

Lumbar disc herniation is primarily due to degeneration of the lumbar disc or secondary pathological changes caused by this degeneration, which then stimulate blood vessels, nerve roots, and the spinal cord, leading to a series of clinical symptoms. Lumbar disc herniation is categorized into four types. The mildest type is the bulging type, followed by the protruding type, the more severe extrusion type, and finally the most severe, the sequestration type. Generally, lumbar disc bulging is relatively mild and conservative treatment is usually effective. Depending on the site and degree of compression, lumbar disc herniation may be treated conservatively, but some cases require surgical intervention. Most cases of disc extrusion require surgery because the extrusion leads to spinal stenosis, compressing all or part of the blood vessels, and it can also compress the spine and nerve roots, causing irreversible damage, and medications or massages can't reverse the condition. The fourth point concerns lumbar disc prolapse, meaning the nucleus pulposus falls into the spinal canal through the tear. This is one of the few emergencies seen in spinal surgery. If this occurs, immediate surgical treatment is necessary. Therefore, the severity of lumbar disc herniation mainly depends on the type and degree of the herniation, as well as the location and direction of the herniation, and which treatment method needs to be used.

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Written by Cheng Bin

Orthopedics

47sec

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What should be noted about traction for lumbar disc herniation?

The main points are reflected in the following two aspects: First, during traction, it is essential to pay attention to the force and duration of the traction. Second, it is best to undergo traction at the acupuncture and massage department of a formal hospital. Formal hospitals are more professional, have a better grasp of indications, and the effects should be more satisfactory. You must not undergo traction in outside massage parlors. Sometimes, excessive force or prolonged duration can cause lumbar spine injuries in patients. For patients with lumbar disc herniation, besides traction, combining acupuncture, massage, electrical therapy, and cupping can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of lumbar disc herniation.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 3sec

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How to exercise with lumbar disc herniation

How to exercise with lumbar disc herniation. Patients with lumbar disc herniation should pay attention to the following points if they want to exercise. First, ample preparation is necessary; only with sufficient preparatory work before exercising can injury be avoided during the workout. Second, it is advisable to wear a lumbar belt as much as possible. As an important orthopedic support, the lumbar belt helps to brake and protect the waist, and it limits the amount and range of lumbar spine movement to prevent injuries. The third point is that exercises for lumbar disc herniation should primarily focus on strengthening the muscles of the lower back, specifically exercises like the single bridge, double bridge, large and small swallow movements. By strengthening the back muscles, such as the erector spinae and the multifidus muscles, the stability of the lumbar spine can be enhanced, significantly reducing the risk of further aggravation of the lumbar disc herniation.