Nerve compressed by slipped disc in the spine
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on location
Neck area
Radiating pain in arm until fingers
Loss of strength, numbness
Sometimes inability to walk
Lower back area
Radiating pain in leg until toes
Loss of strength, numbness
Ribcage area
Rarely hernias occur
Radiating pain to legs
Numbness torso and /or legs
Loss of strength in legs
Pain is worse when coughing and/or sneezing
Diagnosis
MRI scan
– Unknown: 60%
80 % of patients with a hernia, do not need surgery!
The disease is cured after 6-12 weeks
During this time:
Keep active
Physical therapy/rehabilitation
Pain medication
Infiltration of nerve
The remaining 20% will problably need Surgery.
AIM of Surgery
Remove hernia and (part of)disc to free nerve
Sometimes an artificial disc is placed
Risks of surgery are low
RISKS:
Leakage of spinal fluid
Infection
Bleeding after surgery
Worsening of symptoms
Recurrence of a hernia
Back- or neck pain
Talk to your specialist for more information
Emergency
Safe your nerves and know when to contact your doctor immediately:
Acute loss of strength/inability to walk
Numbness in buttock, genital area and /or impotence
No control over urine or faeces
Prognosis
Nerve damage or spinal cord injury can not be cured with surgery
Decompression of these structures are needed fast if there are more symptoms then only pain
Otherwise the prognosis is generally good
