How to diagnose a lumbar disc herniation?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on April 29, 2025
00:00
00:00

Lumbar disc herniation often occurs due to degeneration of the lumbar spine, where the nucleus of the disc protrudes through the ruptured annulus fibrosus backward, compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. This results in pain in the lower back, limited mobility of the lumbar region, and symptoms such as numbness, pain, and weakness in the lower limbs. For lumbar disc herniation, it is recommended to visit the orthopedic or spine surgery clinic of a standard hospital. Diagnosis should be confirmed with a physical examination by a doctor, along with imaging tests such as CT or MRI. These tests help determine the presence and extent of the disc herniation, and the affected segments. The treatment approach should be chosen based on the severity of the herniation.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
1min 28sec home-news-image

Can lumbar disc herniation be treated with an injection block?

Lumbar disc herniation can be treated with an injection, which mainly uses caudal epidural steroid injections. This approach has a certain therapeutic effect but is limited. For example, it may relieve the patient's pain for about a week, after which symptoms may gradually reappear. I believe that this treatment method is more about addressing the symptoms rather than the root cause. For ineffective conservative treatments, such as resting on a hard bed, applying local heat, minimizing prolonged sitting, and lying down as much as possible except for going to the toilet or eating, symptoms will generally gradually alleviate over about 10-14 days. This can be combined with drugs that promote blood circulation and relieve pain, and drugs that nourish the nerves, as well as some diuretic drugs to relieve the pressure on the intervertebral discs. This can alleviate the stimulation of the nerve roots by the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs, affecting nerves from L4 to S3, which may cause numbness and pain in the back of the thighs, the dorsum of the calves, or feet. The symptoms vary depending on the stage of compression but the difference isn't significantly large. For cases where conservative treatment or injections are ineffective, we can consider interventional surgeries like ozone nucleolysis, which are currently performed skillfully with minimal damage and quick recovery. You can consult a hospital for more information.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 4sec home-news-image

Where to apply moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation

If moxibustion is used to treat a lumbar disc herniation, the main acupoint is the Jiaji acupoint located on both sides of the herniated disc, along with the Jiaji acupoints immediately above and below it. For example, if you have a herniation between the 3rd and 4th lumbar discs, you should moxibust the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Jiaji acupoints, and so on. In addition to the main acupoint, there are auxiliary acupoints chosen based on the different symptoms of different patients. Generally, if there is significant back pain, the acupoint on the affected side is the Yaoyan. If there is muscle tension and tenderness in the buttocks, match with Huanjiao and Yibian. If there is muscle tension on the back of the thigh, match with Chengfu, Yinmen, and Weizhong. If there is numbness on the outer side of the thigh, match with Fengshi, and for calf numbness, match with Weiyang, Chengshan, and Yanglingquan. If there is numbness on the top of the foot, followed by weakness in the foot or toe region, match with Taixi, Jiexi, and Xiexi.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
55sec home-news-image

Can a herniated lumbar disc be massaged?

Lumbar disc herniation can be treated with massage and is a very important conservative treatment method. The first benefit of this massage is that it can relieve muscle spasms in the lower back. Secondly, through massage, it can dilate blood vessels, increase the speed of blood circulation, and then promote the metabolism of surrounding soft tissues. The treatment techniques primarily include rolling and pushing-grinding methods, supplemented by grasping and grinding methods, avoiding violent pressure. The main acupoints used are the Jiaji points, along with other matching points such as the Yaoyangguan, Mingmen, Shenshu, Huantiao, Yinmen, Chengfu, Weizhong, Chengshan, and Yanglingquan points, mainly selected according to the different conditions of the patients. Many patients experience significant relief in symptoms of lumbar disc herniation after massage therapy.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
44sec home-news-image

Is a grade two lumbar disc herniation serious?

Lumbar disc herniation level II is a moderate condition, primarily characterized by self-perceived pain in the lower back and legs, numbness in the skin of the lower limbs, and weakened muscle strength. Clinically, positive findings include tenderness in the lower back, percussion pain, and a positive straight leg raise test. Some may experience weakened dorsiflexor muscles of the big toe. Diagnosis can be confirmed through electromyography, CT scans, and MRI of the lumbar region. Treatment options include conservative care, lying on a hard bed, wearing lumbar support, using pelvic traction, and applying therapies such as lumbar massage, physiotherapy, diathermy, and acupuncture.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Fei
Orthopedics
47sec home-news-image

Can you run after lumbar disc herniation fusion surgery?

Lumbar disc herniation is a common clinical disease, with a high incidence rate mainly between the ages of 40 and 60, particularly among the younger adult population. If the lumbar disc herniation is severe, and procedures such as nucleotomy, laminotomy, and lumbar fusion surgery have been performed, one might wonder what type of exercise is advisable post-surgery, and whether running is appropriate. Regarding lumbar fusion surgery for disc herniation, running is not contraindicated. After a good recovery, one can engage in jogging. However, it is advised to avoid high-intensity running and instead opt for short-distance, slow-paced jogging. This can be completely acceptable post-surgery for those with lumbar herniation fusion.