Back Injury : Disc Disease

This refers to a condition also known as sciatica where a prolapse of a disc results in nerve compression. This condition is also referred to as a herniated ("slipped") disc.

The spinal column consists of vertebra separated by more flexible, fibrous tissue known as discs. Any disruption, prolapse, or rupture of a disc can result in compression on a nearby exiting nerve root. Interference with a nerve root causes the classic, painful symptoms of this problem. Disc disease often occurs in the lower back (lumbar), where compression is on the sciatic nerve (which travels down the leg, supplying sensation and motor function below the knee).

Common symptoms include: back pain that radiates down ONE leg [often to the foot], numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected leg. The clinical presentation is dependent on the spinal level [and degree] of the disc prolapse. It is important to realize that a prolapsed disc usually causes symptoms to appear in ONE leg only.

SELF HELP MEASURES

* Aspirin or anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) will help reduce discomfort.

* Bedrest on a firm mattress, in a position of comfort.

* Moist heat to the back can help alleviate symptoms if the injury is more than 24 hours old. Application of heat to an acute injury can increase swelling and pain. Use ice for the first 24 hours.

Any persistence or worsening of symptoms requires IMMEDIATE medical evaluation. Patients with symptoms of disc disease should have a physical examination. Spine x-rays should be taken to rule out a fracture in cases where symptoms were precipitated by injury. Special studies, using magnetic resonance scanning, can clearly show the discs, nerves and their relationship, not possible in the past with conventional x-rays.

Recovery is in the range of 4-6 weeks. The Orthopaedic Surgeon is the expert in the management of disc disease.


12 Hip Dislocation
12 Hip Fracture
12 Insect Stings and Spider Bites
12 Human and Animal Bites
12 Shoulder Injury Fracture
12 Toxic Inhalations and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
12 Facial Injury Jaw Fracture and Dislocation
12 Kidney Injury
12 Knee Injury General Considerations
12 Knee Injury Contusion
12 Knee Injury Fracture
12 Knee Injury Sprain
12 Stab Wounds
12 Leg Injury Fractures and Contusions
12 Leg Injury Shin Splints
12 Lightning Injury
12 Oral and Tongue Injuries
12 Nasal Fracture or Contusion
12 Neck Injury General Considerations
12 Neck Injury Fracture
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Pelvic Bone Fracture
12 Puncture Wounds
12 Chest Injury Rib Fracture
12 Back Injury Sacrococcygeal Injury
12 Scorpion Bites
12 Abrasion Injuries
12 Shoulder Injury Clavicle Fracture
12 Shoulder Injury Strains and Sprains
12 Snakebite
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Abdominal Injury Ruptured Spleen
12 Foot Injury Toe Fracture and Sprain
12 Vaginal or Vulvar Injury
12 Drowning and Near Drowning

INJURIES

Abdominal Injury
Abdominal Injury: Contusion
Abrasion
Amputations
Animal Bites
Ankle Fracture
Ankle Injury
Ankle Injury: Contusion
Ankle Sprain
Back Injury
Back Injury : Sacrococcygeal Injury
Back Strain
Burns
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Chemical Burns
Chest Injuries
Chest Injury: Aortic Rupture
Chest Injury: Hemothorax
Chest Injury: Myocardial Contusion
Chest Injury : Pneumothorax
Chest Injury: Pulmonary Contusion
Chronic Back Pain
Clavicle Fracture
Compression Fractures
Contusions
Decompression Sickness
Disc Disease
Gunshot Wounds
Hand Injury: Fingertip Amputations
Head Injury
Liver Injury
Marine Stings
Muscle Strains
Rib Fracture
Ruptured Spleen
Shoulder Injury: A-C Separation
Spider Bites
Spinal Cord Injury
Sternum Fracture
Testicular Injury
Wrist Injury
hi Scuba Related Injuries
i Hand Injury Finger Amputaion
de Lecerations
de Cold Injury and Hypothermia
dd Dental Injury
xs Facial Injury
sdf Neck Injury
e Shoulder Injury Dislocation
e Ear Injury
ed Elbow Injury
de Elbow Injury Fracture
dfe Elbow Injury Nursemaids
ee Electrical Injury
de Eye Injury
ed Facial Injury General Considerations
fr Facial Injury Contusion
ed Hand Injury Finger Sprains
ded Fingernail and Toenail Injuries
dd Hand Injury Fractures
23 Head Injury Skull Fracture and Concussion
44 Chest Injury Myocardial Contusion
fde Heat Illness
ed Hest Injury Hemothorax
y Back Injury Disc Disease
;l High Altitude Illness


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