Most herniated discs are caused by disc degeneration although some can also be caused by injury. When a disc herniates the inner core of the disc which can be likened to a hard gel matter, leaks through. This hard gel then puts direct pressure onto the spinal nerve. This pinching of the nerve then causes pain that often radiates through the buttock area and down the leg.
The lumbar part of the spine refers to the lower back area, referred to as L1, L2, L3, L4, L5
Symptoms of a lumbar herniated disc:
Leg pain (sciatica), which may occur with or without lower back pain. Typically the leg pain is worse than the lower back pain.
Numbness, weakness and/or tingling in the leg
Lower back pain and/or pain in the buttock
Loss of bladder or bowel control (rare), which may be an indication of a serious medical condition called Cauda Equina Syndrome
An untreated lumbar herniated disc can cause Cauda Equina Syndrome which is a very serious Spinal Cord Injury. To read more about Cauda Equina Syndrome please click on the link: 'Inspired' Information on Cauda Equina Syndrome
Post by ladylimpsalot on Jan 19, 2014 8:44:02 GMT -8
Me too! The surgery to repair my ruptured disc was supposed to help relieve these symptoms. It is too bad that my MRI was not properly read until after I had gone home from the ER and returned several days later with worsening symptoms. Still wondering why in the world had they done the MRI if they were not going to read it!
It does seem crazy that the degree of damage/herniation was not picked up on as it should have been ladylimpsalot? You are now suffering the consequences of that lack of diligence taken when interpreting the MRI scan results...
It does seem crazy that the degree of damage/herniation was not picked up on as it should have been ladylimpsalot? You are now suffering the consequences of that lack of diligence taken when interpreting the MRI scan results...
I know it. This should have been diagnosed the first time I went to the emergency room and I should not have been sent home. Who knows what a difference those few days made.
It does seem crazy that the degree of damage/herniation was not picked up on as it should have been ladylimpsalot? You are now suffering the consequences of that lack of diligence taken when interpreting the MRI scan results...
I know it. This should have been diagnosed the first time I went to the emergency room and I should not have been sent home. Who knows what a difference those few days made.
It only took a week of visiting our ED, in the most unbelievable pain, then going parralized before they did anything about me ladylimpsalot.
I know it. This should have been diagnosed the first time I went to the emergency room and I should not have been sent home. Who knows what a difference those few days made.
It only took a week of visiting our ED, in the most unbelievable pain, then going parralized before they did anything about me ladylimpsalot.
Unfortunately from what I hear, that is normal. And that is quite horrible. The longer one goes with the huge herniated disc putting pressure on ones' spinal nerves, the worse the damage will be. I know of several in wheel chairs with permanent catheters because they were not treated quickly enough.
My life was profoundly changed by CES and this herniated disc. But I can walk and more or less take care of myself. The damage could have been so much worse.
I too believe that my initial visit to the emergency ward missed the red flags. I went to Hyeres hospital (in France) doubled over in pain and could barely walk two steps completely upright. They x-rayed and came back with a diagnosis of a herniated L 3-4 disc. They told me it would get better with rest and meds within a couple of weeks. They did however suggest that I get a scan, "just in case". Rather than immediately send me to the imaging department though, they told me to make an appointment when I got home. This was at the same hospital! The earliest appointment I could get was three weeks down the road. By that time my condition deteriorated to the point that I couldn't stand without falling. I wonder if they had ddone the scan immediately if I would be in the state I'm in now: nearly completely paralyzed from the waist down! I might have done irreperable damage. The doctor here at the clinic, seeing the x-rays, commented that they missed the L5 - S1 hernia (or missed mentioning it.) Just proves what I've said all along: "They're all quacks!"
hmalbet, It would certainly look like you did not receive the treatment and intervention that you should have. Cauda Equina Syndrome is concerningly mis-diagnosed repeatedly. There is no excuse for a doctor to miss clear signs and the potential of nerve damage, you do realize they have been negligent?
hmalbet , It would certainly look like you did not receive the treatment and intervention that you should have. Cauda Equina Syndrome is concerningly mis-diagnosed repeatedly. There is no excuse for a doctor to miss clear signs and the potential of nerve damage, you do realize they have been negligent?
Oh yeah , I realize they were negligent. It's why I have spent my entire life trying to avoid the quacks. The only reason I go see them is for incidents like this and they still can't get it right. My mother was the same way and she lived to 90. "Il's sont tous des anes" she used to say (they are all asses"). From what I've gathered about the medical profession nowadays is that they are unwilling to stick their necks out. Combine that with a reluctance to want to look at the worst case scenario when diagnosing any ailment and you get mistakes and errors that can cause incredible suffering and hardship. Let's face it: how often does a herniated disc develope into CES? I had a orthopedic surgeon tell me years ago when he saw all the telltale signs that they won't operate unles your spine is literaly hanging out of your body. You're just going to have to learn to live with it. Mind you that was a long time ago and I imagine that surgical procedures have advanced considerably since then. Of course he was the same person who said to me when I told him that I have a history of Osteoperosis in my family and my father suffers from it, "Oh that can't possibly be, Osteoperosis is a woman's disease." This was in the late 90's and he should have known better. Hell! I knew better and I'm a lay person. That was the last time I went to see him. As far as negligence is concerned I'm not sure what can be done about it as this was an emergency physician and they did suggest I book an appointment for a scan. I'm not even sure if you can go after doctors here. In any case I'm concentrating my efforts on healing enough to be able to get back home and back to work. I already have seen what a toll stress can take on my morale while trying to fight the insurance company to get them to pay for the operation and subsequent hospital stay. Another bout with the lawyers when I get back. I'll burn those bridges when I get to them.