Lumbar disc herniation L5-S1 symptoms

Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
Updated on October 24, 2024
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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 Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How to treat a lumbar disc herniation?

Clinically, the treatment of lumbar disc herniation usually involves the following three aspects. The first is conservative treatment, which is mainly for those patients whose lumbar disc herniation is not very severe and does not cause substantial compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord. The first step includes general treatment, that is, after developing a lumbar disc herniation, one needs to lie flat in bed, rest on a hard bed, and then rest. The second is treatment with Chinese herbal medicine, the third with Western medicine, and the fourth is traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation treatment, which includes traction, massage, acupuncture, and others. There is also physical therapy, which includes treatments like shockwave thermotherapy and microwave therapy. Often, some patients experience symptom relief after conservative treatment. There are also some patients whose symptoms do not improve during treatment, and even worsen, at which point surgical treatment is needed. Surgical treatment has its strict indications. However, once within the range of these indications, surgical treatment should be considered. Surgical treatment now is divided into minimally invasive therapy and conventional surgical treatment. The third is other treatments, which are also numerous, including ozone therapy, sacral canal treatment, intradiscal injections, and so on. Therefore, the treatment of lumbar disc herniation mainly depends on the degree of protrusion and clinical symptoms, which are analyzed comprehensively to select a suitable treatment method.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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What should I do if a herniated lumbar disc is compressing a nerve?

Lumbar disc herniation compressing the nerve initially requires bed rest, preferably on a hard bed, and avoiding exposure to cold. In cases where the herniation compresses nerves in one or both legs, lumbar traction can be considered. This traction therapy should primarily be guided by a doctor, based on the severity and characteristics shown on imaging studies, as part of further conservative treatment. For some cases of lumbar disc herniation that compress nerves, minimally invasive surgery may be appropriate depending on the stage of the condition. If the condition is multi-stage and the patient is older, and the compression of the nerve by the herniated disc prevents them from getting up and moving on their own, corresponding surgical treatment can be given.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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What is lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation is a condition caused by the rupture of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, protrusion of the central nucleus pulposus, which compresses the nerve roots or the spinal cord, resulting in a series of symptoms. For example, it can cause pain in the lower limbs and instability in the lumbar spine, leading to pain in the waist, as well as pain in the waist when walking or standing, and even sensations of numbness and tingling in the lower limbs. In severe cases, it can cause symptoms affecting urination and defecation.

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Written by Chen Hui
Orthopedic Surgery
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How to care for lumbar disc herniation

The intervertebral discs of a normal human body, according to related evidence-based medical research, begin to degenerate around the age of twenty-five. How should we maintain them in daily life? First, when lifting heavy objects in everyday life, it is necessary to do so by squatting partially and then lifting the weight with the strength of your knees and hips when standing up. Do not bend at the waist with straight knees and hips to lift heavy objects, as this can cause severe loading on the lumbar spine, leading to herniated discs. If symptoms are already present, maintenance measures include wearing a lumbar support, sleeping on a hard bed, and undergoing relevant physical therapy, among others.

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Written by Chen Hui
Orthopedic Surgery
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Is hot compress useful for lumbar disc herniation?

Herniated lumbar discs causing back pain have very limited benefits from heat application during the acute phase, and in some cases, it may even exacerbate pain symptoms. Therefore, it is not recommended to apply heat early on. For the acute phase of a lumbar disc herniation, the first approach is to wear a lumbar support to stabilize and reduce the load on the lumbar spine. The second approach is to sleep on a firm mattress. The third is to undergo relevant imaging studies, such as CT or MRI, to determine the type of herniation. If it is a mild protrusion, physical therapies such as massage, manual therapy, or spinal traction can be considered for treatment.