Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Miami

A lumbar disc herniation occurs when material from one of the discs in the lower back extends beyond its normal boundary and irritates or compresses a spinal nerve. It can cause lower-back pain as well as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness traveling into the buttock and leg. The location of symptoms depends on which nerve is affected.

Most lumbar disc herniations can initially be treated without surgery. Care may include short-term activity modification, anti-inflammatory or pain medication, physical therapy, and a gradual return to normal activity. An epidural steroid injection may be considered when radiating leg pain remains significant.

Surgery may be appropriate when severe leg pain persists despite appropriate conservative care, weakness is significant or progressing, or the herniation produces an emergency neurological condition. Microdiscectomy is the most common procedure and removes the portion of disc pressing on the nerve. Minimally invasive techniques may reduce disruption of the surrounding muscles in appropriately selected patients. Fusion is generally reserved for cases involving instability, deformity, or other specific structural problems.