Lumbar disk disease occurs when one of the disks in the spine ruptures. This is called a herniated disk. The spine comprises four segments: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. The lumbar spine consists of 5 big vertebrae, the bony structures that make up the spine, and is commonly called the lower back.
Each vertebra in our spine has a soft but firm disk between it that provides cushioning and support for the spine and prevents bone-on-bone contact.
When lumbar disk disease occurs, the outer part of the disk has broken down, usually due to wear and tear, allowing the inner part of the disk, called the nucleus pulposus, to slip out from between two lumbar vertebrae.
Common symptoms associated with lumbar disk disease include:
Symptoms usually get better with rest, so if you suspect you may have a herniated disk, rest as much as possible.
Structural changes in the disks in the spine cause lumbar disk disease. This is common as one ages but may also be caused by a severe injury.
Risk factors for a herniated disk include age, lack of physical activity, heavy lifting, and participating in strenuous activity when that’s not normal for you.
A healthcare provider will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam, assessing strength, sensation, pain levels, and reflexes. They will also perform some tests to make a definitive diagnosis. These may include imaging tests like a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test, X-ray, or computerised tomography (CT) scan or an electromyogram.
An electromyogram involves stimulating the muscles to look at how well the related nerves are working and can point to which nerves are not working and have been affected by lumbar disk disease.
Complications of lumbar disk disease are disruption of daily life activities due to pain and muscle weakness and loss of bladder or bowel control in severe cases.
Treatment for a herniated disk depends on the severity of the case. Treatment options include:
Prevention is not always going to be possible, but you can reduce the chances of lumbar disk disease by using proper technique when lifting heavy objects, staying at a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, trying to maintain good posture, stretching often, avoiding smoking, and even avoiding high-heeled shoes, which are bad for the spine.