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Minimal Invasive Surgical (MIS) TLIF
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- Minimal Inva...
Lumbar radiculopathy (also known as “sciatica”) is term used to describe radiating leg pain, numbness, or weakness caused by inflammation or pinching of a spinal nerve in the lower back. Lumbar radiculopathy can result from a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, or stenosis (narrowing) of the lumbar spine.
Radiculopathy
- Radiating leg pain or numbness from an inflamed or pinched spinal nerve
- Also called “sciatica”
- Can be caused by stenosis, disc degeneration, or disc herniation
Herniated Disc
- Tear in the outer wall (annulus) of the disc allows the inner gel (nucleus) to protrude into the spinal canal
Natural History (“Doing Nothing”)
- Not all disc herniations cause symptoms
- Symptoms may resolve without treatment
- Herniated material may dissolve over time
“Cauda Equina Syndrome”
- Rare
- Loss of bowel and bladder function due to pressure an all of the nerves running through the spinal canal
- Caused by large herniated disc
- Surgical treatment needed urgently
Three Phases of Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation:
- Phase I – Non-Invasive Treatments
- Phase II – Spinal Injections
- Phase III – Surgery
- Goals of Each Phase:
- Relieve Pain
- Improve Function
Treatment Options for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Phase I
- Oral Medications
- Steroids
- Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs)
- Pain relievers
- Physical Therapy and Home Exercise
- Ice and Heat
Treatment Options for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Phase II
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Outpatient procedure
- Done with x-ray guidance
- 1-3 injections may be needed
Treatment Options for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Phase III – Surgery