Spine Conditions
Expert Diagnosis & Treatment
Comprehensive information about common spinal conditions, their symptoms, and treatment options to help you understand your diagnosis and make informed decisions.
Lumbar Disc Protrusion
What is it?
A lumbar disc protrusion occurs when disc material escapes and may trap a nerve, producing leg pain often described as "sciatica".
Emergency Signs
Changes to bowel or bladder function OR pain in both legs OR saddle numbness or progressive limb weakness require immediate medical attention at your local Emergency Department.
Recovery Timeline
Most patients experience significant natural improvement in 6-12 weeks, with 80% much improved at around 3 months.
Understanding Your Condition
Following your referral from your General Practitioner you may or may not have had an MRI scan confirming that you have a lumbar disc protrusion which may well be trapping a nerve producing leg pain often described as "sciatica". The lumbar spine has a central tunnel through which a "balloon" traverses containing a number of little nerve roots travelling down a cavity. At every level, 2 nerve roots branch out through little side tunnels but any narrowing or compression at any particular level may either trap the nerve roots causing sciatic pain or, in severe cases, compress the descending nerve roots supplying the bowel and bladder.
If these nerve roots are compromised in any way, a degree of changes to your bowel or bladder function may occur. This is an emergency and should you have any particular concern or trouble with your bowel or bladder function, you should seek immediate medical advice at your local Emergency Department.
Very few people with disc prolapses will require any acute intervention as most, if not all patients will have a significant improvement of leg pain in around 6 – 12 weeks from onset of pain. This improvement is normally a consequence of the inflammation or swelling around the nerve root decreasing naturally and may occasionally be aided by the application of an x-ray guided injection. 80% of patients will be much improved at around 3 months and in general, most patients presenting with leg symptoms will improve over time.
When Surgery is Needed
- • Bowel or bladder disturbance
- • Cauda equina syndrome
- • Progressive neurological weakness
- • Weakness in lower limbs
Spinal Stenosis
Understanding the Condition
The spinal canal becomes narrowed with age due to disc degeneration, enlarged facet joints, and bony spurs pressing on nerve roots.
Common Symptoms
Severe pain, weakness and numbness in legs when walking, with relief when sitting, bending forward, or leaning over.
Detailed Explanation
The spinal canal is a central canal or passage through which the spinal cord and nerve roots travel down to reach their destinations. At every level, spinal nerve roots branch out through side tunnels. The spinal cord terminates around the level of the upper lumbar spine and then divides into lots of little nerve roots often called the cauda equina nerve roots. The simple analogy of a paintbrush is often described whereby the spinal cord is like the handle of a paintbrush and beyond the handle the bristles travel down through the tunnel.
The spinal cord and nerve roots are contained within a "balloon" which has a fine covering called the dura and within this balloon travels the spinal nerve roots bathed in spinal fluid. The central tunnel through which the nerve roots travel often becomes narrowed with age due to generalised changes that occur including the disc that loses its ability to retain water and often becomes like a flat car tyre. Furthermore as a consequence and compensation the facet joints enlarge and bony spurs may well be produced by the body narrowing the spinal canal and pressing on the nerve roots.
The consequence of narrowing and pressing upon the nerve roots is that symptoms may be experienced in the legs, particularly on walking, which can produce severe pain, weakness and numbness and also a feeling of "legs that don't work". Often, patients will sit down, bend over forward or lean over their shopping trolley to try to get some relief as this can temporarily open the spinal canal.
Key Features
- • Central canal narrowing
- • Disc water loss
- • Enlarged facet joints
- • Nerve root compression
- • Walking difficulties
- • Relief when sitting/bending
Get Expert Assessment
Concerned About Your Symptoms?
If you're experiencing back or leg pain, weakness, or any concerning symptoms, contact us for a comprehensive assessment with Mr von Arx.
Emergency Symptoms
If you experience any changes to bowel or bladder function, seek immediate medical attention at your local Emergency Department.