How serious is L5-S1 disc protrusion?

How serious is L5-S1 disc protrusion?

A herniated L5-S1 disc can press and impinge nerves and the spinal cord. This compression can lead to discomfort, aches and pains in the back, buttocks, hips, thighs, leg feet, or toes. It may also cause numbness, tingling and weakness in thighs, legs, knees, ankles, feet, or toes.

What is the treatment for L5-S1 disc herniation?

The treatment of L5 – S1 intervertebral disc herniation with PPFED by grafting tubes at various positions via an interlaminar approach is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive surgical method.

How do you fix a prolapsed disc?

Treatment for a slipped disc from a GP A GP might prescribe a stronger painkiller, a steroid injection or a muscle relaxant to use in the short term. If your symptoms do not get better, a GP might recommend further tests, like an MRI scan. They might also refer you to a physiotherapist.

What does L5 S1 pain feel like?

Pain, generally felt as a sharp, shooting, and/or searing feeling in the buttock, thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes. Numbness in the foot and/or toes. Weakness in the leg and/or foot muscles and an inability to lift the foot off the floor (foot drop)

What happens if a herniated disc goes untreated?

Nerve Damage When a herniated disc puts significant pressure on a nerve, it can lead to significant damage by cutting off nerve impulses. Compressed nerves can lead to significant conditions, including loss of sensation in lower extremities or even loss of bowel control.

How do you fix L5 S1 pain?

Treatment of L5-S1 usually begins with: Medication. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually tried first for pain stemming from L5-S1. For more severe pain, prescription medication, such as opioids, tramadol, and/or corticosteroids may be used.

Can I become paralyzed from herniated disc?

With a herniated disc, the capsule cracks or breaks, and the nucleus squeezes out. This can irritate the spinal cord or nearby nerves, causing weakness and numbness in the arms or legs. A severely herniated disc can cause paralysis.

What is the most common cause of a prolapsed disc?

Factors that may increase the risk of developing a prolapsed disc include: a job involving lots of lifting, a job involving lots of sitting (especially driving), weight-bearing sports (weight lifting, etc), smoking, obesity, and increasing age (a disc is more likely to develop a weakness with increasing age).

Do you need surgery for a prolapsed disc?

Fortunately, the majority of herniated discs do not require surgery. With time, the symptoms of sciatica/radiculopathy improve in approximately 9 out of 10 people. The time to improve varies, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. Limit activities for 2 to 3 days.

Is bed rest good for bulging disc?

Most often 1-2 days of strict bed rest will calm severe back pain. Bed rest should not exceed 48 hours. Once you are back into your daily routine, you should take frequent rest breaks throughout the day- but avoid sitting for long periods of time.

Can L5 S1 heal itself?

After greeting Leon, Ms. Walters showed him the source of his pain — a large disc herniation at L5-S1. She explained that with conservative treatment, the herniation might heal on its own. If it did not heal, Leon would probably need surgery.