What sleeping position should be used for lumbar disc herniation?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on October 22, 2024
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If the patient simply presents primarily with symptoms of back pain, it is advisable to lie on the back and sleep on a firm mattress. It is best to wear a lumbar support belt to protect the lumbar spine. If the patient's lumbar disc herniation is quite severe, causing sciatic nerve pain, it is better to sleep in a lateral position during sleep. When lying on the side, actively flexing the knees and hips can reduce the traction on the sciatic nerve, thereby effectively alleviating the patient's leg pain symptoms. Additionally, for patients with disc herniation, it is necessary to avoid prolonged sitting or standing, avoid excessive bending to lift heavy objects, and avoid lifting heavy items. Actively cooperating with acupuncture, electric therapy, cupping, traction, massage, and other physical therapy methods can further improve the patient’s clinical symptoms.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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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 Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Conservative treatment methods for lumbar disc herniation

The conservative treatment methods for lumbar disc herniation primarily include the following approaches. First, absolute rest is essential, and one should sleep on a hard bed rather than a soft one. Second, traction is used to alleviate pain symptoms. Third, massage and acupuncture are employed to relieve lower back pain and restricted mobility. Fourth, oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs, as well as drugs that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, are used to alleviate local pain. These drugs primarily function by reducing local inflammatory responses and decreasing the release of inflammatory factors, thereby easing pain. Fifth, electotherapy and magnetotherapy can also be used to relieve local pain. These are the conservative treatment methods for lumbar disc herniation.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Lumbar disc herniation L5-S1 symptoms

You may experience abnormal sensations in the buttocks, lower limbs, and soles of the feet, such as numbness, soreness, and even reduced muscle strength. Additionally, mild to moderate lumbar disc herniation can cause soreness and abnormal sensations in the buttocks, and even abnormal sensations in the perineal region. It is recommended that when symptoms of nerve compression in the lower limbs and buttocks occur, strict bed rest should be enforced, especially on a hard bed, and exposure to cold should be avoided. Consider lumbar traction if appropriate, but if symptoms worsen during traction, it should be stopped immediately. Also, if the disc herniation is localized to a single segment, minimally invasive surgery may be considered.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
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Can a herniated lumbar disc cause leg pain?

Patients with lumbar disc herniation can experience leg pain, which is a typical clinical manifestation. After the nucleus pulposus protrudes, it can stimulate the dura mater and nerve roots, causing pain in the leg areas innervated by the nerves, or localized skin numbness, and decreased muscle strength in the lower limbs. Some patients may also experience difficulties bending over or walking normally. Additionally, some may have abnormal bowel and bladder function, and exhibit changes in reflexes like hyperactive or absent knee and Achilles reflexes. Diagnostic confirmation can be achieved through electromyography, as well as CT scans and MRI of the lumbar spine. For treatment, patients may be advised to lie flat on a hard bed, use lumbar support, and employ pelvic traction. Additionally, treatments such as massage and manipulation may be recommended.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Lumbar disc herniation symptom diagram

The herniation of the lumbar disc occurs due to degeneration of the disc, causing the nucleus pulposus to protrude backwards from the ruptured annulus fibrosus, compressing the spinal cord and nerve roots, thus leading to a series of symptoms. There will be pain in the lumbar region, and restricted flexion and extension movements of the waist. Symptoms may include numbness in the lateral calf and dorsum of the foot, weakness in walking, decreased muscle strength in the dorsiflexion of the big toe and ankle. In severe cases, there may be loss of control over urination and defecation. Therefore, when a disc herniation occurs, it is important to diagnose and treat it early to avoid worsening of symptoms.