The first course of treatment for a bulging disc usually include a non-surgical approach that is a combination of anti inflammatory medication, exercise, and physical therapy. The most common non-surgical treatments used to treat bulging disc include: NSAIDs medications. Steroid Injections.
Regardless of the cause, an L4-L5 spinal segment is treatable without surgery or injection. The key to recovery is accurate diagnosis followed by corrective treatments that focus on the problem's root cause.
A L4-L5 bulge in the disc can cause sciatic-like symptoms by impinging nerves running down the legs. A pinched nerve can be caused by a slipped disc. A L4–L5 disc bulge (or slip-disc) in the L4-L5 region can cause severe health issues such as impotence and reproduction issues.
Treatment with rest, pain medication, spinal injections, and physical therapy is the first step to recovery. Most people improve in 6 weeks and return to normal activity. If symptoms continue, surgery may be recommended.
If the repeated forward bending stress continues, or the improper body mechanics continue, very often the inner disc material will continue to push backwards, causing the disc bulge to worsen, to herniate, progressing into the spinal canal and towards the spinal cord.
If you suspect you have a herniated disk or your doctor has confirmed this diagnosis, there are a few things you should avoid. Avoid lifting heavy objects or bending at the waist at any time. Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. They put pressure on your lower back and send your spine out of alignment.
Common symptoms and signs include: Sharp pain, typically felt as a shooting and/or burning feeling that originates in the lower back and travels down the leg in the distribution of a specific nerve, sometimes affecting the foot. Numbness in different parts of the thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes.
It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework. It may take 6 months to a year for your back to get better completely. You may need to wear a back brace while your back heals.
The symptoms of L4-L5 nerve damage are typically chronic lower back pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness that radiate to the legs and feet. Spinal nerve damage can be severe.
Small blood vessels and capillaries in the lower back muscles can become constricted following decreased physical activity, reducing the blood flow to these muscles. Walking allows for more movement in these muscles, allowing these capillaries and blood vessels to open up again.
Low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, and cycling, may be safe and beneficial for people with a herniated disc, as they can help to improve overall fitness and strengthen the muscles that support the spine.
L4-5 disk lesion resulting in back pain with bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction without paraparesis. Spinal Cord.
Damage to L4 and L5, including spondylolisthesis, can lead to hip pain. This is because the misaligned vertebrae can press on nerves that extend through the hips. When these nerves become irritated, inflamed, or damaged, the patient may experience significant hip and leg pain.
Depending on the condition the surgery is treating, spinal fusion has a 70 to 90% success rate.
Treatment of the L4-L5 spinal motion segment typically begins with nonsurgical methods. In cases where the back and/or leg symptoms do not improve with nonsurgical treatments, or in case of certain medical emergencies, surgery may be considered.
L3 or L4 symptoms include pain in lower back and /or pain that radiates to the quadriceps in the front of the thigh. 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.
For symptoms that have lasted at least 6 weeks and that make it hard to do your normal activities, surgery is an option when other treatments haven't helped. Over the long term, surgery and non-surgical treatments work about the same to reduce pain and other symptoms.
L2, L3 and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of your thigh and inner side of your lower leg. These nerves also control hip and knee muscle movements. 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.
Sit using the correct posture, with your back firmly placed against the chair back. It is proper to sit up straight without slouching. When you slump, you put extra pressure on the discs in the spine and can aggravate your herniated disc. Additionally, you want to ensure your knees are level with your hips.
The L4 and L5 nerves (along with other sacral nerves) contribute to the formation of the large sciatic nerve that runs down from the rear pelvis into the back of the leg and terminates in the foot.
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.
Sleep on Your Back
Lying on your back with a thinner pillow is the best sleeping position for herniated discs in the neck. It reduces the risk of putting undue pressure on the spinal discs of the neck. For herniated disc in the lower back, roll up a towel under your lower back.
Walking is a gentle form of exercise that has the potential to be beneficial if you have a bulging or herniated spinal disc. We explain why below. Walking isn't too strenuous, which is one reason it tends to be beneficial even with a bulging disc.