Lumbar Disc Prolapse

It should be remembered that no matter what type of disc injury, there will be swelling and this would place pressure upon everything around it.  The injury will have associated protective muscle spasm, and these things will cause varying levels of pain.

Conversely, not everyone suffers pain at all following spinal disc injuries.  Indeed many people will have disc problems and not know it.  Nonetheless, some of the common signs and symptoms will be mentioned in the next box.

• Pain and loss of function
• If the nerve root is sufficiently affected there may be a sudden lack of muscle power in the leg making some movements (e.g. lifting your foot) quite difficult.
• Alterations in posture
• Spasm in the muscles around the injury
• Disturbance of normal movement
• If there is a loss of control in bladder or bowl function, urgent medical attention should be sought.

• Clinical examination to evaluate the severity of the injury and the disability involved
• Occasionally further investigations are required (if the nerve root is sufficiently involved)
• MRI can be helpful in this case.

• Pain management is to be considered first
• Focused physiotherapy assessment and treatment program
• Progressive exercise inside the boundaries of your pain
• Manual therapy to help with joint stiffness and muscles around the injury (as the pain begins to subside)
• Corticosteroid injection to help with acute and persistent inflammation
• Occasionally and in rare cases, surgical intervention may be needed.

• Rotator cuff strengthening
• Pec stretch
• etc

PHYSIO     X

MEDIC     X

PODIATRY