Herniated Disc

Endoscopic Discectomy and Microdiscectomy for Lumbar Herniated Discs

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:19:50 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about endoscopic discectomy and microdiscectomy options for a herniated disc.

Question:Is endoscopic discectomy or microdiscectomy better for two lumbar herniated discs?

I have an MRI that shows two herniated discs in my lower back. After conservative treatments have failed, I am now considering surgery to treat my lumbar herniated discs.

Treating Chronic Pain after Lumbar Herniated Disc Surgery

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:19:44 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about treatment of chronic pain after a lumbar herniated disc surgery.

Question: Who to see about chronic pain after lumbar herniated disc surgery?

Several years ago, I had surgery for a lumbar herniated disc at L5-S1. After surgery, I still had pain in my right foot when standing or walking. The spine surgeon said the pain would go away with time, although it never did completely go away.

When to Have Surgery for a Lumbar Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:19:39 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about determining when it is necessary to undergo surgery for a lumbar herniated disc.

Recovery from Herniated Disc Surgery

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:19:51 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about recovering from herniated disc surgery.

Question: How long will pain after herniated disc surgery last?

Pain after Discectomy for Lumbar Herniated Discs

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:03:36 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about treating pain after a discectomy for lumbar herniated discs.

Pinched Nerve, Scar Tissue, and Accurate Back Pain Diagnosis

Ben Parr — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:40:46 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about scar tissue and a pinched nerve after a laminectomy.

Question:

I had a laminectomy to fix a herniated disk located at L4/L5. The fix only lasted about 4 days before significant pain occurred. I had a second laminectomy surgery two months later where the doctor cleaned up some fragments and increased the amount of the prior surgery. That also did not work.

Leg Pain and Scar Tissue After Herniated Disk Surgery

Ben Parr — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:35:50 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about causes of leg pain after herniated disc surgery.

Surgery for Leg Numbness from a Prolapsed Disc

Ben Parr — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:17:38 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about surgery for a prolapsed disc.

Question: Is low back surgery necessary for prolapsed disc?

I have a prolapsed disc at L5/S1 that just happened. After a few steroid injections, the leg pain is mostly gone; however there is still numbness in my lower leg and progressive loss of strength in my right leg.

The Effects of a Ruptured Disc on the Body

Ben Parr — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:16:57 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about ruptured discs and their effect on the body.

Question: Ruptured discs and bladder function?

I have a ruptured disc in my low back and was wondering if this can affect the bladder function as well as sexual performance?

Piriformis Muscle Stretching for Sciatica Due to a Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:55:06 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about piriformis muscle stretching for sciatica due to a herniated disc.

Question: Is Stretching Important for a Herniated Disc?

I have a herniated disc at L5-S1, causing sciatica down my right leg. I have had some success with physical therapy, but some of the exercises, such as stretching the piriformis muscle, are causing leg pain.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Disc Problems

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:25:59 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about accurately diagnosing and treating discogenic pain.

Question: Other options for treating a bulging disc?

I was out of work for 17 months with lower back pain. After two years, I am still experiencing the lower back pain, and my MRI scan shows that I have a bulging disc. So far, the exercises prescribed by my doctor have not helped with lower back pain relief.

What are some other options for treating a herniated disc?

Diagnostic Tools for Sciatica from a Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:25:53 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about diagnosing sciatica due to a lumbar herniated disc.

Question: Tests to determine the cause of sciatica?

I experience numbness and tingling in my leg. I have a lumbar herniated disc at L5, which is causing sciatica.

Besides an MRI, is there another test to determine if the sciatica is caused by nerve compression and to identify which nerves are being compressed?

When Surgery is Necessary for a Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:24:34 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about when it is necessary to undergo surgery versus conservative care for a herniated disc.

Question: What level does a disc need to herniate to require surgery?

I know that on an MRI, the amount of disc herniation (L5 in my case) is measured in increments of millimeters (mm). Are there studies, opinions or facts that indicate which level (# of mm) of disc herniation warrants which treatment?

Recommendations for Treating Bulging Discs

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:44:00 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about alternatives to exercise to treat bulging discs.

Question: Alternative treatments for bulging disc?

I have had debilitating lower back pain for two years. My MRI indicates I have bulging discs. My doctor recommended exercise, but that has not helped.

What are some alternatives to keep my discs from bulging?

Cervical Disc Herniation Symptoms

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:10:15 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about radiculopathy due to a herniated disc.

Question: Radicular Pain on the Right Side of the Body?

Is it possible for a C4-C5 cervical disc herniation to cause radicular pain and sciatica on one side of my body? My right side, from below my armpit to my toes, is completely numb with occasional tingling and burning sensations in the calf area.

Cervical Herniated Disk From an Auto Accident

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:10:11 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about relieving the painful symptoms of a cervical herniated disc due to an auto accident.

Question: Can Disc Hardening Cause Severe Neck Pain?

I have a cervical herniated disk at C5-C6. I was recently in a car accident and now the herniated disk is causing severe pain. When I had my second MRI, the doctor concluded that my disk was “hardening” and that there may not be “enough space” for the disk.

Fusion for a Cervical Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:56:59 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about spinal fusion in the neck.

Question: Is There Another Option Besides Surgery?

I have been diagnosed with a C5-C6 cervical herniated disc that is compressing the spinal cord. Anterior cervical fusion surgery has been recommended with urgency. However, I am concerned that the discs adjacent to the fusion site may become vulnerable and that the fusion may not be successful.

Surgery Options for a Cervical Herniated Disk

Ben Parr — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:56:50 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about cervical herniated disk surgery treatment options (including cervical disk replacement and anterior cervical discectomy).