Nerve damage from ruptured disc

[Frank0678]

I have a mild diffuse disc bulge and small midline focal protrusion at L5-S1.  The back does not bother me much, but I have severe pain in my right leg and foot numbness.  I had an ECT and a nerve conduction study and was told that I had severe nerve damage. The report states that I have right lower radiculopathy at S1 nerve root level.  Two of the Psw were 2+.

My questions are: 1) the pain is bad to me, but are the reports showing otherwise (in other words, help me understand what the reports say) and 2) what are my treatment options?

Thanks

[biv07]

A related discussion, back pain and nerve damage was started.

[Frank0678]

Thanks for the help.  I am going to see a specialist on Friday at Duke University.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Without seeing the MRI scan I cannot give you a definite answer

but from what you tell me, it sounds like the bulging disc may be comperssing some of the nerve fibers that come out of the spinal cord and travel down to the leg to supply the muscles in the leg. This is called a 'radiculopathy'

'S1' is the particular nerve root that is affected - this nerve root supplies the muscles involved in extending the foot at the ankle, bending at the knee and hip. It also carries sensation from the foot and back of the leg - that is why you get pain there

'psw' are positive sharp waves and imply that there is irritation in the muscle caused by damage to the nerve supplying that muscle.

If you have severe pain and an EMG showing some nerve damage you should consult with a spinal neurosurgeon to see if a surgical procedure could help you. Eventually the nerve could be damaged enough to cause leg weakness.
Good luck

[mujereuno]

Hello. I am a 36 year old woman. Upon reading a question about thyroid problems possibly being linked to neuro problems, I was immediately intrigued. You see, I suffer from hypo-thyroidism and have had two spinal surgeries. The first took place in the lumbar on two levels. I had a dycectomy and lamenectomy performed there. The doctor took out two discs. My pain was similar to the man who posted the question with pain (severe) down both legs but mostly went accross back and down left leg. Two years later, in fact, just last month- I went through my second. This time it was for cirvical radiculopathy. I underwent the surgery anterior cervical fusion with discectomy and I then had a plate and screws added to my spine. I have been battling my thyroid a little longer than I did the spine, however the spine did start up shortly after. I would appreciate any advice as my doctors tell me it's not normal for my discs to keep bulging because there is a problem now with loss of other disc height and signal.I am to see a physiologist soon and am very frightened. Please help. Thank you, Rene'e