What is the best treatment for L5 S1 disc herniation?

Epidural steroid injections have become a mainstay of treatment for herniated discs and back pain caused by the L5-S1 disc (2). This is where the doctor takes a needle and guides it using real-time x-ray guidance into the area between the disc and the spinal nerve.


How serious is a L5-S1 disc herniation?

An L5-S1 disc herniation from a car accident is a very common and serious injury. It can cause permanent pain and disability. Sometimes surgery is required to prevent spinal cord damage and to alleviate chronic pain.

Can an L5-S1 herniation heal?

Like other bulging discs, an L5-S1 disc bulge can be treated with a number of noninvasive conservative treatment options including chiropractic care and physical therapy.


What should I not do with a herniated disc L5-S1?

Generally, you want to avoid exercises that bend your L5-S1 joint forward or twist it out of alignment. The following exercises are not helpful, and should be avoided: deadlifts, contact sports, sit-ups, hamstring stretches, twisting exercises, golf, running, and any exercise that causes you pain.

What is the success rate of L5-S1 surgery?

Consider the following results: In one study 53 patients were followed for an average of 20 months after fusion surgery. In those patients with normal MRIs prior to surgery, only 50 % were improved after surgery.


L4 L5 - L5 S1 disc herniation recovered pain free without surgery



When is L5-S1 surgery necessary?

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.

What nerves are affected by L5-S1?

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.

How should I sit with L5 S1 pain?

A standing desk is a great option, but if you must sit, rest your spine firmly against the chair back, sit up straight, and don't slouch (which strains the spinal ligaments and aggravates a herniated disc). Your knees should be level with your hips, or slightly above the hips if you're seated at a desk.


What are the symptoms of L5 S1 nerve damage?

Common Symptoms and Signs Stemming from L5-S1
  • Pain, generally felt as a sharp, shooting, and/or searing feeling in the buttock, thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes.
  • Numbness in the foot and/or toes.
  • Weakness in the leg and/or foot muscles and an inability to lift the foot off the floor (foot drop)


What exercises can I do with a herniated disc with L5 S1?

Gentle activities that can help with a herniated disk include:
  • yoga.
  • swimming.
  • walking.
  • cycling.


How long is recovery from L5 S1 surgery?

It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation).


Can L5 S1 cause bowel problems?

Rule out spine issues

Nonetheless, another study noted that L5/S1 herniation can lead to "bowel dysfunction."

How do you sit with a L5 S1 herniated disc?

Sit with the Right Posture

It is proper to sit up straight without slouching. When you slump, you put extra pressure on the discs in the spine and can aggravate your herniated disc. Additionally, you want to ensure your knees are level with your hips. Your hips should be slightly above your knees if you sit at a desk.

How do you recover from a L5 S1 disc bulge?

L5-S1 Disc Bulge Treatment
  1. Bed rest.
  2. Physical therapy.
  3. Maintaining a good posture while sitting, sleeping, etc.
  4. Over-the-counter medicines to relieve pain, reduce inflammation or relax muscles. ...
  5. Activity and lifestyle modification.
  6. Maintaining a healthy body weight.


What part of the body does L5 S1 affect?

The lumbosacral joint, also called L5-S1, is a term used to describe a part of the spine. L5-S1 is the exact spot where the ​lumbar spine ends and the sacral spine begins. The lumbosacral joint is the joint that connects these bones.

Can L5 S1 cause buttock pain?

Among cases of L4/5 level involvement with lumbar disc herniation, 78.7 % had gluteal pain, while among cases with L5/S1 level involvement with lumbar disc herniation, only 15.8 % gluteal pain. No cases of L3/4 level involvement with lumbar disc herniation had gluteal pain.

How do you sleep after L5 S1?

The best position to sleep in after spine surgery is lying flat on your back, placing a pillow below your knees or lying sideways with a pillow between your bent knees. If you find lying on your side the most relaxing, make sure both legs are one above the other with your knees bent.


Is it worth getting surgery for herniated disc?

Herniated disk surgery is often very effective, and it works faster than other treatments. You should start to see an improvement in symptoms like pain, weakness, and numbness within a few weeks after surgery. Physical therapy or rehab can help you recover quicker. You can go to a rehab center, or do exercises at home.

How do you treat L5-S1?

How Do I Heal My Moderate Herniated Disc at L5-S1?
  1. Avoid the Common Causes. First of all, before back pain can be resolved, the source of the pain must be identified. ...
  2. Bed Rest. ...
  3. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. ...
  4. Perform Healing Exercises. ...
  5. Flex and Extensions.


Can L5-S1 be fixed?

Epidural steroid injections have become a mainstay of treatment for herniated discs and back pain caused by the L5-S1 disc (2). This is where the doctor takes a needle and guides it using real-time x-ray guidance into the area between the disc and the spinal nerve.


What causes L5-S1 disc herniation?

Causes of L5-S1 disc herniation

The most common cause, however, is the natural wear on the disc as we age. Consider that in the case of the lumbar spine, the discs are subjected to the weight of the body almost continuously over the years. Some other possible causes are: Genetic predisposition.

Can you bend after L5 S1 fusion?

Avoid Bending, Lifting, and Twisting

If you absolutely have to, be sure to lift by bending your knees, not your back. It follows that you should try to avoid bending, lifting, and twisting with your back muscles at all for the first few weeks after surgery (consult with your surgeon to determine an exact timeline).

How long does L5 S1 pain last?

Most people should feel much better 12 weeks after a herniated L5/S1 disc. However, many don't. Many people don't realize this. Taking ACTION is the key to herniated disc recovery.


What happens after L5 S1?

You can expect your back to feel stiff or sore after surgery. This should improve in the weeks after surgery. You may have relief from your symptoms right away, or you may get better over days or weeks. In the weeks after your surgery, it may be hard to sit or stand in one position for very long.
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