An L4-L5
While lumbar radiculopathy typically affects one leg at a time, sometimes, both legs may be affected together. An injury to the cauda equina may cause severe pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, or paralysis in both legs.
While these symptoms typically affect one leg at a time, sometimes, both legs may be affected together. Cauda equina syndrome may occur at L5-S1 due to an injury to the cauda equina nerves that descend from the spinal cord.
The sciatic nerve is affected by L4 and L5. It encompasses the L4 nerve, L5 nerve, and various sacral nerves. As the largest nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve extends from the lower back through the back of each leg.
Symptoms of an L4-L5 lumbar disc herniation
When a patient has a lumbar hernia at these levels, one of the common symptoms will be sciatica, the pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve that passes through the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and leads into one of the legs.
DISC DEGENRATIVE DISEASE L4-L5 SYMPTOMS
Pain that radiates to the nearest limb. Lower back pain (if the degenerated disc is in the lower back) Pain in the neck and shoulders (if the degenerated disc is in the upper back) Tingling in the legs or fingers which is caused by nerve impingement.
L2, L3 and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of your thigh and inner side of your lower leg. These nerves also control hip and knee muscle movements. L5 spinal nerve provides sensation to the outer side of your lower leg, the upper part of your foot and the space between your first and second toe.
Tingling, numbness (pins and needles), and an aching or burning sensation in the leg and on top of the foot are widespread. In severe cases, an L4-L5 slipped disc leads to weakness in the legs or feet. Some may even have an inability to walk, leading to an inability to stand.
Damage to L4 and L5, including spondylolisthesis, can lead to hip pain. This is because the misaligned vertebrae can press on nerves that extend through the hips. When these nerves become irritated, inflamed, or damaged, the patient may experience significant hip and leg pain.
Typically, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually tried first. For more severe pain, opioids, tramadol, and/or corticosteroids may be used. Physical therapy. Exercise and physical therapy can be modified to specifically target pain stemming from L4-L5 and the lower back.
The sciatic nerves branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg.
L5 nerve impingement (at the L4-L5 level) from a herniated disc can cause symptoms such as weakness in extending the big toe and potentially in the ankle, which leads to difficulty with the heel-to-toe motion in walking. This weakness is called foot drop.
Generally speaking—as long as they're performed correctly—core and back exercises are beneficial for bulging discs, as are activities like walking, elliptical exercise, swimming, and riding a stationary or regular bike.
The best sleeping position for lower back pain is on your side with a partial bend in the knees. View Source . Keeping the knees bent helps balance the body and reduces pressure on the lumbar spine. Many people find it helpful to put a small pillow between their knees to make this position more comfortable.
Leg pain and weakness
Pain that originates in the lower back and travels down the legs – also known as sciatica – may signal a serious problem. Culprits may include a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Both conditions cause the space around the spinal nerves to narrow, which may result in nerve pain and irritation.
The most typical symptom of a disc herniation is pain that radiates from the low back down into the leg (sciatica). In addition to leg pain, the leg may also be weak or numb. One or both legs may be affected.
A herniated disc at lumbar segment 4 and 5 (L4-L5) usually causes L5 nerve impingement. In addition to sciatica pain, this type of herniated disc can lead to weakness when raising the big toe and possibly in the ankle, also known as foot drop. Numbness and pain can also be felt on top of the foot.
As a clinical finding, gluteal pain is related to low lumbar disc hernia. The L4/5 level is the main level responsible for gluteal pain in lumbar disc hernia.
Most commonly, it involves the L4 slipping over the L5 vertebra. It most frequently affects people age 50 and older. Symptoms may include pain in the low back, thighs and/or legs, muscle spasms, weakness and/or tight hamstring muscles.
It takes between six months and one year to fully recover from L4-L5 fusion. You may need four to six weeks to return to basic activities around the house after the procedure, and one to two months to return to work.
Most people improve in 6 weeks and return to normal activity. If symptoms continue, surgery may be recommended.
Injuries below this level (at the L3, L4, and L5 vertebrae) affect the hips and legs and may cause numbness extending to the feet (sciatica). It may also harm the tip of the spinal cord known as the cauda equina, which is a bundle of spinal nerves and nerve roots that innervate the lower lumbar spine to the sacrum.
In paracentral or lateral herniation, the transversing nerve root is usually affected; a lateral herniation at L4-L5 would cause L5 radiculopathy. Extreme lateral (far lateral) herniations typically result in the exiting nerve root being affected; extreme lateral herniation at L4-L5 would cause L4 radiculopathy.
L3 or L4 symptoms include pain in lower back and /or pain that radiates to the quadriceps in the front of the thigh. L5 symptoms include pain in lower back and/or pain in the outside of lower leg, down to toes, which may include numbness, weakness and tingling.