[jpinpain]

#8501

hi, I had an mri done and the result shows a disc is pinching a nerve in my lower back. I’ve been in a lot of pain in my right hip and down my right leg for the last two or three months. the doctor recomend surgery. is there anything else that could be done that instead of surgery. also, what kind of surgery is it? can a TLIF work for this? thank you in advance

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#8502

Significant nerve pain due to a disc herniation that has been present for two to three months is at the point where surgery should be considered. If there is motor weakness involved, surgery should take place in my opinion soon. If motor weakness is not present, you could try epidural steroid injections if you wanted to continue non-surgical treatment.

TLIF procedures are not generally used for disc herniations as the TLIF is a fusion procedure and fusions are not needed for primary leg pain (with some exceptions). A microdiscectomy is most likely the procedure of choice. See the section on microdiscectomy to understand this procedure.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[jpinpain]

#8510

Thank you so much. I’m not quite sure what motor weakness is. What would be considered motor weakness? thanks again

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#8525

Motor weakness is the lack of power of a muscle group that is neurologically mediated. Muscle weakness can occur from pain inhibition, joint disorders and mechanical injury (Achilles tendon rupture). When the weakness is generated from nerve injury, normally from nerve compression (herniated disc in the lumbar or cervical spine), this is neurological motor weakness. An easy way to test this in the lower extremities is to heel and toe walk. Inability to maintain the heel or toes off the floor with prolonged walking is a sign of motor weakness. Also, repetitive one-legged squats will indicate strength or weakness of the quad muscles.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

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