LATERAL DISC HERNIATIONaka FAR LATERAL DISC PROTRUSION(Keywords: LATERAL DISC HERNIATION, chiropractic help, lateral disc protrusion, help for sciatica pain)LATERAL DISC HERNIATIONs are an enigma that often baffles the chiropractor and medical doctors alike. Why? Please accept that this may be a bit of neuroanatomy that is probably beyond the average patient, but what is important is that the herniation is one level higher than that expected. Why is that important? Because, with 29 years of examining patients with lower lumbar back pain, I can tell you that is often not clear whether the herniation is a L4 Lumbar Spine lateral disc protrusion, or L5. Or L3. Double hernias are not uncommon too just to add to the confusion. And, because it is far beyond the usual cut of the MRI, it is often missed by the radiologist, and a 'normal' report is sent to baffle your chiropractor and your doctor.
 Custom Search What is it?Most herniations occur into the spinal canal or into the foramen where the nerve exits. However the (Far) Lateral Disc Herniation ruptures beyond the foramen, and traps a higher nerve than expected. Because the Lateral Disc Herniation is much less common it will have your chiropractor scratching his/her head. You see, the pain pattern in your leg with a the lateral disc doesn't correspond to either his findings, or what may or may not be seen on the X-rays and scans. It just ain't following the proper radiating pain that it ought!This is a (far) lateral disc herniation.
Chronic disabling Low Back PainLower lumbar back pain is the most common and costly work related injury. The huge costs involved come from the relatively small number of people (but still a very large number of workers) who go on from an acute episode to chronic disability.How can you know if this attack of lower lumbar back pain is going to go away, or become a nightmare? A 2009 study from the University of Washington of 1885 workers with lumbar disc protrusion injuries, has come with some interesting facts: Predictors of chronic disability
Reported: Spine vol 33: Early Predicators of Chronic Work Disability af a Back Injury by Turner et al. CHIROPRACTIC HELP FROM THE COAL FACESitting and standing became very painful, and he walked with a limp because of the weakness that developed progressively in his foot. He tripped several times, aggrevating the condition further, because his toe didn't lift normally in the swing phase of his gait. By the time Mr Hanisch consulted me four months later, he had difficulty raising his great toe off the ground and the side of his lower leg and the top of foot felt numb - using a pinwheel, he said the prickle was 40% less. And the Medial Hamstring reflex was noticably diminished. So far nothing unusual. This describes very typically an L4-L5 disc herniation. But the MRI was negative, and eventually he was sent back to work by the company doctor. Up to point I can understand that: there is strong research showing that a man off work for more than six months is most unlikely ever to return. So, he was sent back to work. Only, he couldn't do his work as a plumber. I admit to a hesitation. Often, one isn't absolutely sure which vertebra to manipulate. Either several are fixated, or none, or several are painful, and you are not absolutely sure. I wasn't sure: L5 was fixated, whereas it should have been L4. For two weeks I made the wrong decision, following my neurology rather than the clinical examination. A mistake, and he didn't progress. "To hell with it! The jammed up joint is L5, Mr Hanisch, I'm changing the treatment." After the first adjustment of L5, he felt a slight bit of relief, and I could raise his leg a little higher at the next consultation. It was several months before the pain and weakness in his leg returned to normal, but after the rehab exercise program, he was able to return to work. A little wiser, he now gets help with heavy lifting. An unexpected benefit was that he agreed to quit smoking. His doctor had often tried to persuade him with grave announcements about lung cancer and heart attacks, all of which he ignored. But when I told him his back was unlikely to heal with my treatment, and he would end up in surgery if he didn't quit, he made the noble decision. How do I know he had a (Far) lateral disc herniation? Frankly I don't. The MRI's of these Far Laterals are usually negative, and the only way to confirm it with is with a myelogram or surgery, both of which can have nasty side-effects. Can chiropractic have nasty side-effects? Yes, indeed, though research consistently reveals that it is much less frequent, and the chance of going on to chronic disabiling pain with a condition like a Lateral Disc Herniation is 5/12 less likely that if you start with a medical doctor. Have a moment of sympathy for your Chiropractor who is dealing with Lateral disc herniation. Surgeons too need a streak of stubborn boldness to get on with what needs to be done with the patient in severe pain, though his patients are under deep anaesthesia.
- William Shakespeare
PREVENTION of LATERAL DISC HERNIATIONaka LATERAL DISC PROTRUSIONEach time you have an attack of acute low back pain, if it's associated with pain when you cough, sneeze or bear down on the toilet, you have likely lost some of the gel in the disc. This is even more so, if you go into the "leaning tower of Pisa" posture, or have pain in the leg. You are well on your way to having a 'flat tyre'. Think prevention, like back exercises every morning, and some common sense when faced with heavy lifting if you want to avoid lateral disc herniation and the threat of lumbar spinal surgery. SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS ...SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS Case File ... Read more about doctor-caused disease: IATROGENIC ILLNESS >> Read more about chiropractor-caused disease: CHIROPRACTIC IATROGENIC ILLNESS >>
"Walking is man's best medicine." -Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine* (460-377 BC)
* Hippocrates was an avid user of manipulation. We think of him as the father of Chiropractor too. ** The father of modern Chiropractic is D.D. Palmer.
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LOW BACK and LEG PAIN
L4 lumbar spine casefile
FALLS
CHIROPRACTIC HELP How to stop falling
L4 lumbar spine
Lateral disc herniation
BENDING AND TWISTING
DEGENERATIVE LUMBAR DISC DISEASE CaseFile
POSTERO LATERAL DISK HERNIATION
LOWER BACK AND LEG PAIN
SITTING
CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR SCIATICA PAIN
Short leg?
LEG LENGTH INQUALITY and Low Back Pain
Low back and leg pain
LOWER BACK AND LEG PAIN
LUMBAR FACET SYNDROME
SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS Case File
SACROILIAC JOINT TREATMENT
SPONDYLOLYSTHESIS
EXAMINATION
SACROILIAC JOINT Case File
SLUMP TEST
Can you stand on one leg on your heel, and raise the big toe? Can you stand on your toes without your leg shaking?
CHIROPRACTIC TIPS
Prick your foot with a pin. Is the feeling the same in the other foot?
Chiropractic Therapy ...what is it?