A Bulging Disc in the L5 Vertebra - Symptoms and Treatments

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Find out if you're a candidate for a minimally invasive alternative to open neck or back surgery

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A Bulging Disc in the L5 Vertebra - Symptoms and Treatments

The L5 vertebra is one of five or six vertebrae in a part of the spine known as the lumbar region, or lower back. Because this area bears the most weight and is heavily utilized for twisting and lifting, spinal discs in this section are subject to more wear and tear and consequentially degenerate faster. It should come as no surprise, then, that the lumbar region accounts for the vast majority of bulging and herniated disc cases.

If you have a bulging disc in the L5 position, then you may be experiencing symptoms in your lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet. These symptoms could include pain, weakness, tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation, limited mobility, and numbness. Depending on the severity of your condition, it might be difficult to stand or sit for extended periods, or even to walk for more than a few feet without resting.

What Can You Do?

Most bulging discs will heal on their own within six months or so, and avoiding strenuous activity and heavy lifting during this time can help avoid setbacks. You should notice your symptoms slowly becoming less severe over time, but if they don’t, there are many conservative treatments for an L5 bulging disc that can help with recovery and management of the pain. These include:

Rest
Physical therapy
Chiropractic treatments
Steroid injections to reduce inflammation of the nerve
Prescription pain medicines
Stretching
Back braces to avoid twisting and putting excess pressure on the disc

If you’ve tried these techniques and continue to suffer from the symptoms of a bulging disc, then your doctor might tell you open-back surgery is your only option. However, endoscopic surgery at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) could be an effective, and less risky, treatment. With a lower infection rate than procedures performed in the hospital, a high success rate in reducing or relieving pain, and advanced technology to reduce recovery time, our minimally invasive procedures can help you free yourself from the limitations of an L5 bulging disc and get back to doing what you love.

For more information on our procedures, or to request that our doctors review your MRI or CT scan free of charge, contact LSI today.

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