With a herniated disc, the capsule cracks or breaks, and the nucleus squeezes out. This can irritate the spinal cord or nearby nerves, causing weakness and numbness in the arms or legs. A severely herniated disc can cause paralysis.
The most serious complication from a thoracic herniated disc is the development of complete paralysis below the waist. This results when a fragment of disc material is ruptured into the spinal canal. Pressure on the spinal cord causes permanent damage to the nerves traveling to the lower body and legs.
Herniated disc surgery can sometimes cause numbness or weakness in one or both legs. Paralysis is one of the rarest of all potential complications (1 in 10,000) of herniated disc surgery.
Surgery can usually reverse gradual onset paralysis caused by a herniated thoracic disc, along with pain in the thoracic region and other symptoms. However, there is a chance that some symptoms from a thoracic lesion will not improve after surgery.
Herniated Disc Work Restrictions
A herniated disc can cause severe pain, making walking impossible. This can cause muscle weakness and reduced motor function, impacting walking. If you have a herniated disc, you would not be able to do a variety of different job tasks.
Seek emergency medical attention if you have: Worsening symptoms. Pain, numbness or weakness can increase to the point that they hamper your daily activities. Bladder or bowel dysfunction.
How Long Do Lower Back Herniated Discs Usually Take to Heal? “Most acute pain from a herniated disc in the lower back will subside after four to six weeks, but pain can come and go and persist over several months,” says Dr. Mukai. To avoid flare-ups of pain, Dr.
In cases where a herniated disc has been untreated for too long, this type of damage can be permanent. Patients may also permanently lose feeling in their legs and lower back.
A herniated disc injury may result in a designation of permanent disability and make you eligible for disability benefits from workers' compensation if: The herniation compromises a nerve root or the bundle of nerves that lead out from the spinal cord.
Severe L4-L5 spondylosis causes intense back pain, weakness in legs, bladder and bowel disorders, erectile dysfunction in males, and female reproductive issues. If neglected, it will lead to partial or complete paralysis.
Bulges can put pressure on the surrounding nerve roots, leading to pain that radiates down the back and other areas of the body depending on its location within the spinal column. If the symptoms are severe enough and have become chronic, surgery for a bulging disc may be required.
Of the three types of herniated discs, sequestered herniation is often the most severe. It occurs when the nucleus erupts out of the outer layer of the disc. The ruptured disc material can migrate to different locations along the spinal canal and become trapped.
Herniated spinal discs are fairly common. Fortunately, surgery is not typically required for a herniated disc. In fact, only about 10 percent of herniated disc patients end up needing surgery, according to research cited by Harvard Health.
Permanent nerve damage could also occur if a herniated disc compresses the spinal canal and the sack of nerve roots referred to as the cauda equina. If nerve damage related to a herniated disc becomes permanent or long-term, an issue known as saddle anesthesia may also develop.
An MRI scan can also show evidence of previous injuries that may have healed and other details in the spine that can't normally be seen on an x-ray. Myelogram: This special x-ray uses dye, which is injected into the spinal fluid.
Sometimes, the nerves are actually damaged by the pressure from the disc herniation and may not recover completely. You may also develop scar tissue around the nerves weeks after the operation that causes pain similar to what you had before the operation.
Yes, a herniated disc is considered a disability by the SSA if you are unable to work for at least 12 months due to the condition. For the SSA to consider your herniated disc a disability, you will need to provide evidence that your herniated disc meets a Blue Book listing to qualify for disability benefits.
If the herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, the patient may experience a low backache or no pain at all. If it is pressing on a nerve, there may be pain, numbness or weakness in the area of the body to which the nerve travels.
Common warning signs of a herniated disc
Following are some of the most common symptoms of a herniated disc: Radiating pain in your arms or legs. Loss of reflexes or weakness in your arms or legs. Numbness or abnormal tingling sensations in your arms or legs.
Stages three and four: disc extrusion and sequestration
In the final stage, not only does the nucleus leak out, but it begins dripping out of the disc. In stages three and four, pain is often accompanied by tingling, numbness, and weakness in the nearby tissues.
An untreated herniated disk can get worse. That's especially true if you continue the activities that caused it — for instance, if it developed because of your work. A worsening ruptured disk may cause chronic (ongoing) pain and loss of control or sensation in the affected area.