Re: Herniated Disc

Posted By CCF NSG MD /gsh on September 14, 1998 at 09:04:41:

In Reply to: Herniated Disc posted by Michael Adler on September 13, 1998 at 09:35:13:






I am a 53 year old male whose symptoms are upper leg pain, numbness and extreme skin sensitevity from above the knee
to just below the top of the thigh towards the outside of the right leg only. The pain worsens the longer I walk or stand around!
Last week I had an MRI and was informed that I have a herniated L5-S1 disc.
Would you recomend microdiskectomy as a procedure to repair the disc problem and if so, would you recomend a neursurgeon as opposed
to an orthopedic surgeon and if so, are yopu allowed to recomned one to me?
I would like to meet one in South Florida.
Thank you very much.

Michael R. Adler
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Dear Michael,
A herniated disc at L5/S1 typically causes pain along the lateral aspect of
the leg and calf which radiates into the bottom of the foot.  A patient may
notice numbness in a similar distribution and may or may not have weakness
of the calf muscles.  The first line of therapy for a herniated disc is usually
bed rest and taking it easy as most of the water from the disc will resorb
and the disc will shrink.  This is often enough to take compression off the
nerve roots and alleviate symptoms.  Surgery is indicated when conservative
therapy fails.  
It is difficult to say whether your pain is from the disc at L5/S1 because
your pain isn't in the classic distribution.  It is possible, though.  A good
neurosurgeon or othopedic spine surgeon will be capable of doing the surgery,
if indicated.  The procedure should be routine for either surgeon.  
Speak to your physician and ask around for a good spine surgeon in your area.
He will have a better sense of the good surgeons in the area.  
Good luck.







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