Treatment of Lumbar Disk Herniation

The intervertebral disk is one of the primary motion components in the spine. Most disk herniations are characterized by varying degrees of back and/ or leg pain and numbness. Occasionally, a muscle group can become weak and result in significant loss of strength. One example of this is the classic “foot drop” in which the foot slaps with walking.

Disk herniations can occur at almost any age, with the highest incidence in the fourth and fifth decades of life. Many disk herniations do not cause symptoms. Surprisingly, only approximately 5% of herniations actually become symptomatic through out individual’s lifetime. Males are three times more likely than females to suffer from disk herniations.

The prognosis for lumbar disk herniations is favorable. Many patients can be treated without surgery, and up to 90% of patients will show gradual resolution of symptoms within the first 3 months from the onset of symptoms. Nonsurgical treatment includes anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, physical therapy and pain management techniques such as epidural steroid injections.

Surgery may be necessary in some situations to provide the best possible outcome or to correct serious neurological or mechanical problems.

Spine surgery has dramatically advanced within the past 15 years, and many modern techniques that are now available to the experienced spine surgeon allow for more minimally invasive procedures which can result in less discomfort and more rapid recovery times. Most lumbar disk surgery can now safely be performed on an outpatient basis without the need of a hospital.

It is imperative to have trust and confidence in your spine surgeon to formulate an individualized plan of care that will optimize your treatment outcome. Treatment may involve a variety of health care providers that work together to restore optimal health. This is a “team approach” to treatment, which is a concept emphasized at TPMG Orthopedics.

By: Jeffrey Moore, MD