Herniated Discs happen when the rubber-like disc between your vertebrae breaks and causes the gel to leak out into the spinal column causing pain. The pain is caused due to the gel-like fluid impacting the nerves in your spinal canal. Lumbar Herniated Discs are the most common type of herniation.
Causes of a Lumbar Herniated Disc
The Lumbar region of your spine supports the lower half of your body. Herniations in this region can be caused by a traumatic injury such as a bad fall or a car accident. It is also common to see older patients get herniated discs here due to the normal aging process. Since the lumbar spine is responsible for support the lower half of the body which allows us to bend and twist, the movement here happens on a daily basis. Just like rubber, eventually, the rubber will deteriorate after it has been stretched and twisted for a while.
Lumbar Herniated Disc Symptoms
A Herniated disc in the lower back can cause radiating pain from the buttocks all the way through the legs down to the feet. Numbness and tingling can also occur depending on which side the herniated disc is affecting. If these symptoms are chronic, it is suggested to get an MRI scan done to see where the disc is. Once the MRI scan is done you should schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified Spine Surgeons in order to go over treatment options.
Lumbar Herniated Disc Treatment Options
Surgery should always be the last resort treatment option. For lower back pain, it is best to start with conservative treatment options such as chiropractic care or physical therapy. Chiropractors are excellent when it comes to treating patients with herniated discs in their lower backs. Physical therapists are also good because of the exercises they are trained to teach you how to do.
If conservative therapy with the chiropractors and physical therapists fail, the next step should be to get an Epidural Steroid Injection in the lumbar region of your spine. At Florida Surgery Consultants we perform thousands of Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections and can do them in the office. Our Board Certified Neurosurgeons perform this simple procedure. Many patients get relief after they have gone through some steroid injections. If the pain still persists there are other options such as Minimally Invasive Procedures.
At Florida Surgery, our Board Certified Neurosurgeons are also able to perform these Minimally Invasive procedures:
If the Lumbar Herniated Disc requires a more complex procedure, we are able to perform the same. All of our Complex procedures are done in our outpatient surgery center and all of the patients are able to leave the same day. The incisions are also small and recovery time is quick compared to open spine surgery. Here are some of the procedures we can do to treat Lumbar Herniated Discs: