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• Lumbar Disc Protrusion

Lumbar Disc Protrusion

Lumbar disc protrusionis a common spinal disc disorder that can cause low back pain and other symptoms throughout a patient’s lower body. The lumbar spine (lower back) is particularly prone to problems because it supports most of the body’s weight and is extremely flexible, which leads to a higher chance of injury and faster degeneration rate compared to the neck and mid-back. As a result, lumbar disc protrusion is far more common than protrusion at any of the other segments of the spine.

In a healthy spine, the vertebrae in the lumbar segment are kept apart by soft, spongy intervertebral discs. When functioning normally, these discs act as cushions for the back and neck and help give the body its flexibility. As years go by, however, these discs can lose their ability to “bounce back.” As they are compressed, they can bulge out and protrude. If the disc protrusion irritates, impinges or pinches one of the six lumbar nerves (L1-L6), it can result in pain – with the specific symptoms depending on the location, severity, and pathology of the protrusion.

Common symptoms of L1-L5 disc protrusion include:

• Chronic, low back pain
• Back stiffness or soreness
• Sciatica
• Muscle weakness in the thighs and calves
• Pain, numbness, and tingling in the legs, feet and toes
• Incontinence (in rare emergency cases)

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In normal instances, doctors can manage most disc protrusion symptoms non-surgically. Treatment can include rest, exercise and stretching, pain medication, the application of heat or ice, and more. However, in some instances, a patient will not respond sufficiently to conservative disc protrusion treatments and may elect to undergo spine surgery.

The staff at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) is here to help. Our award-winning team of spinal surgeons is at the forefront of the exciting field of endoscopic spine procedures – an excellent alternative to traditional open back surgery. Our state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedures incorporate the latest in laser technologies to help patients find meaningful relief from their back pain. To learn more about how our outpatient procedures can help treat a lumbar disc protrusion, and to receive a free review of your MRI or CT scan, contact LSI today.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.