Lumbar disc herniation

57% of American adults over age sixty and 20% under age sixty have at least one herniated disc, also commonly referred to as a bulging or slipped disk. What it feels like: Those with a herniated disk in the lumbar spine may experience the following:

  • Low back pain
  • Leg pain
  • Sciatica
  • Numbness/tingling/weakness in the leg and/or foot
  • Incontinence
Who is affected? Herniated discs most commonly affect older adults. How common is it? This condition is extremely common especially in older adults. Younger patients who experience a herniated disk most likely have suffered an injury. Risk factors:
  • Age
  • Genetics
  • Overuse
  • Injury
  • Male
  • Overweight
  • Lack of exercise
  • Smoking
  • Occupation that requires long periods of sitting
Treatment:
  • Medication
  • Physical therapy
  • Steroid injections
  • Rest
  • Surgery in some cases
      • Microdiskectomy

Sometimes called a slipped or ruptured disk, a herniated disk most often occurs in your lower back. It is one of the most common causes of low back pain, as well as leg pain (sciatica). Between 60% and 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. A high percentage of people will have low back and leg pain caused by a herniated disk. Although a herniated disk can sometimes be very painful, most people feel much better with just a few weeks or months of nonsurgical treatment. For more information click here: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00534 or here: http://www.depuysynthes.com/patients/ aabp/resources/ddd

Come see Dr. Abbi today at one of his office locations