L5 symptoms include pain in lower back and/or pain in the outside of lower leg, down to toes, which may include numbness, weakness and tingling.
Compression or inflammation of the L5 and/or S1 spinal nerve root may cause radiculopathy symptoms or sciatica, characterized by: Pain, generally felt as a sharp, shooting, and/or searing feeling in the buttock, thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes.
Most importantly, an L4-L5 disc bulge can lead to prolonged pain and other, more serious conditions like spondylolisthesis if you delay treatment. Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra shifts or slips, and can cause significant pain that may require surgery to fix.
Most cases of L5-S1 disc herniation can be treated with conservative measures such as rest, ice, and heat. Chiropractic care, physical therapy, and pain medication can also be helpful.
Generally speaking—as long as they're performed correctly—core and back exercises are beneficial for bulging discs, as are activities like walking, elliptical exercise, swimming, and riding a stationary or regular bike.
Strenuous exercise
Skip movements that involve significant axial loading on the lower back, such as squats and leg presses. Avoid toe-touches, sit-ups, and yoga poses that worsen the pain and lead to significant bending of the back.
L5 nerve impingement (at the L4-L5 level) from a herniated disc can cause symptoms such as weakness in extending the big toe and potentially in the ankle, which leads to difficulty with the heel-to-toe motion in walking. This weakness is called foot drop.
L5 spinal nerve provides sensation to the outer side of your lower leg, the upper part of your foot and the space between your first and second toe. This nerve also controls hip, knee, foot and toe movements.
There are a few common conditions that L5-S1 surgery treats. You may be a candidate for this disc replacement procedure if you live with any of the following spinal problems: Herniated disc with back and leg pain. Disc degeneration: your spinal discs have worn out, broken down, or been pushed out of place.
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.
The optimal sleeping position for a herniated disc is on your back. Lying on your back keeps your spine in a neutral position so you have less chance of pinching the nerve. For added comfort, nestle a small pillow or rolled-up towel under your knees and lower back.
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.
Although considerable controversy still exists, previous work in this field suggests that the L5 nerve root supplies tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum brevis, and the lateral head of gastrocnemius, while the S1 nerve root innervates the medial head of gastrocnemius, soleus, and abductor ...
Spondylolisthesis at the L4-L5 spinal segment can cause carrying degrees of back pain, leg pain, and sciatica. It may also cause weakness in the legs, loss of bowels and bladder control, reproductive issues, and paralysis.
An L5 radiculopathy causes pain that radiates from the buttock down the leg to the outside of the ankle and into the top of the foot toward the big toe. People experience numbness on the outside of the ankle and top of the foot.
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, legs feet, or toes. It may also cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thighs, legs, knees, ankles, feet, or toes.
Gently move to your right or left side, and place a pillow between your legs. You can also roll on your back and put a soft cushion underneath your knees. Either choice works to help keep the curve of your spine in a natural position.
The best sleeping position for lower back pain is on your side with a partial bend in the knees. View Source . Keeping the knees bent helps balance the body and reduces pressure on the lumbar spine. Many people find it helpful to put a small pillow between their knees to make this position more comfortable.
Most people improve in 6 weeks and return to normal activity. If symptoms continue, surgery may be recommended.
L5 radiculopathy is usually associated with numbness down the side of the leg and into the top of the foot. S1 radiculopathy typically results in numbness down the back of the leg into the outside or bottom of the foot. Weakness is another symptom of nerve root compression.