This syndrome is a medical emergency and typically causes severe pain, weakness, numbness, and/or tingling in the groin, genital region, and/or both legs. There may also be loss of bowel and/or bladder control.
Nonetheless, another study noted that L5/S1 herniation can lead to "bowel dysfunction."
A herniated L5-S1 disc can press and impinge nerves and the spinal cord. This compression can lead to discomfort, aches, and pains in the back, buttocks, hips, thighs, legs feet, or toes. It may also cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thighs, legs, knees, ankles, feet, or toes.
However, in rare instances, a herniated spinal disc can affect the bowels. This article explains how this can happen and why it can be a serious issue. There are nerves that connect to the bowels and control the actions required for proper bowel function.
(A) The colon and rectum are innervated by two distinct spinal pathways, the lumbar splanchnic and sacral pelvic nerves. The cell bodies of these splanchnic and pelvic afferents are located within the thoracolumbar (T10-L1) and lumbosacral (L6-S1) DRG, respectively.
With a spinal cord injury, damage can occur to the nerves that allow a person to control bowel movements. If the spinal cord injury is above the T-12 level, the ability to feel when the rectum is full may be lost. The anal sphincter muscle remains tight, however, and bowel movements will occur on a reflex basis.
Cauda equina syndrome may occur at L5-S1 due to an injury to the cauda equina nerves that descend from the spinal cord. This syndrome is a medical emergency and typically causes severe pain, weakness, numbness, and/or tingling in the groin, genital region, and/or both legs.
We think that large, extruded L5-S1 disc herniations may affect the superior hypogastric plexus or pre-sacral nerve which is situated anterior to the last lumbar vertebra, the middle sacral artery, the lumbosacral intervertebral disc.
Avoid activities that require frequent twisting and bending, such as golfing or gardening, or even handling heavy objects at work without employing proper lifting techniques. Sitting down for prolonged periods of time: Prolonged sitting can put pressure on the L5-S1 disc and increase pain and stiffness levels.
There are a few common conditions that L5-S1 surgery treats. You may be a candidate for this disc replacement procedure if you live with any of the following spinal problems: Herniated disc with back and leg pain. Disc degeneration: your spinal discs have worn out, broken down, or been pushed out of place.
SI Joint Dysfunction Symptoms
Feelings of paralysis or numbness in the legs. Patients often complain of bladder and bowel emptying disorders.
L5-S1 Disc Bulge Symptoms
This process is absolutely normal and is a part of aging and happens with everyone. L5-S1 bulging discs are most common as they take the stress and weight of the body. The symptoms experienced in the lower back can be terribly painful.
Common Symptoms and Signs of L5-S1 Stemming
Radiculopathy symptoms, or sciatica may be caused by compression or inflammation of the L5/or S1 spinal neural nerve root. Pain is usually described as a sharp, shooting and/or severe feeling in the buttocks and/or toes. Foot drop is a weakness in the foot or leg muscles.
Conditions affecting the L5-S1 spinal motion segment are usually treated with nonsurgical methods. If the lower back and/or leg symptoms worsen or do not improve despite these treatments, or in case of certain medical emergencies, such as tumors or cauda equina syndrome, surgery may be recommended.
The good news is that the vast majority of herniated discs can be treated without surgery using manual therapy and exercise or with IDD Therapy disc treatment. It is only a small percentage of cases which go on to have surgery.
Your Recovery
It may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities, such as light housework. It may take 6 months to a year for your back to get better completely. You may need to wear a back brace while your back heals. And your doctor may have you go to physiotherapy.
The L5-S1 is also called the lumbosacral joint. It is the part of the spine where the lumbar spine ends and the sacral spine begins. It helps you twist, bend, and stand upright.
We report this case to highlight the importance of protecting the parasympathetic presacral nerve during L5-S1 anterior interbody fusion, as injury to this nerve affects urinary evacuation.
The two nerves most commonly pinched in the lower back are L5 (lumbar 5) and S1 (sacral 1). Pinched nerve at L5. The L5 nerve supplies the nerves to the muscles that raise the foot and big toe, and consequently, impingement of this nerve may lead to weakness in these muscles.
The presence of disk space narrowing at the lower levels (L3/L4/L5/S1) was not significantly associated with hip pain.
If your injury is above level T11/T12, then the muscles of your sphincters and pelvic floor may be tight, which leads to constipation. If your injury is level T11/T12 or lower, then these muscles may be loose, which leads to stool incontinence.
Sacral nerves are located in the pelvic area just above the tailbone. These nerves control the muscles and organs that contribute to overall bowel control, such as the anal sphincter and pelvic floor.
Back pain that is being caused by a spinal cord injury or nerve condition may cause you to have constipation. This is because these conditions can damage the nerves that control part of your colon and intestines. Damage to these nerves can interfere with your ability to have healthy bowel movements.