When talking about the Hernia discal L5-S1 It is important to take into account a number of aspects, that begin by knowing what it consists of. to get started, you have to be aware that there are a total of five lumbar vertebrae, and the spinal column continues with the sacrum bone. The L5-S1 segment is formed by the L5 vertebra, intervertebral disc, facet joints, the ligaments of the muscles and the first sacral vertebra.
In this way, Taking the above into account, it can be said that a Hernia discal L5-S1 It is given when the content of the intervertebral disc L5-S1 comes out of the disc and enters the lumbar canal., which can cause the disc material to become compressed and affect the L5 root when it exits through the hole between both vertebrae, as well as to the root S1 before it leaves the column.
In those cases where the hernia is too large, sacral roots may also be affected and cauda equina syndrome may occur, as it is known.
Index
Symptoms
When a person suffers from a hernia we find that this person suffers from the compression of one or more nerve structures what do you have at that level, being the main symptom to tone a sciatica.
By sciatica we understand radiating pain that descends down the back of the thigh and continues down the leg to the foot.. Usually associated with weakness and sensitivity-related disorders. In the case of Hernia discal L5-S1, we can find that both the L5 and S1 roots and the dural sac are affected; and more than one of the nerve structures may be affected at the same time, which will depend directly on the narrowness that exists in the lumbar canal and on the dimensions of the hernia.
Symptoms of a Hernia discal L5-S1 are the same as those of the herniated disc, with the difference that only the leg through which the pain radiates changes. In the case of large central hernias, we will find that both legs can be affected..
Very large hernias can cause compression of the dural sac., and thus cause different symptoms that receive the name of cauda equina syndrome, and that causes there to be less sensitivity in the inner thigh, genitalia and pelvic floor; and at the same time loss of sphincter control and impotence. This syndrome is a medical emergency, and immediate decompression action is required to avoid major problems.
Diagnosis
In order to determine the existence of a Hernia discal L5-S1 it is necessary to determine a diagnosis based on, mainly in two types of tests, Which are the following:
- Magnetic resonance. It is the best test to diagnose disc pathology and in which the different nerve structures are seen with greater clarity.
- Electromyography. It is a test through which it is possible to know which root or roots are affected by the hernia.
Hernia discal L5-S1: Operation
when talking about Hernia discal L5-S1: Disc herniation l5 s1, Keep in mind that this is only one of the treatment options that exist for this problem.; and that it is usual to opt for other previous treatments to check if the problem can be solved or minimized before going through the operating room. Similarly, When talking about the operation of a Hernia discal L5-S1 we can mainly distinguish between the following procedures:
Laser or radiofrequency treatment
The treatment of disc herniation with laser or radiofrequency is a step prior to surgery. These are different percutaneous techniques that are performed with local anesthesia and sedation., that is to say, what are ambulatory.
These consist of inserting a needle into the intervertebral disc that emits heat; and in this way what is sought is to make the water contained in this disc evaporate and thus make its volume decrease.
By doing so, it is possible to reduce the pressure that the intervertebral disc exerts on the nerve structures and in this way pain is reduced. The biggest drawback of these techniques is that they are not indicated for all types of hernias.; and that they must be used in discs that are quite healthy and can only be used in contained hernias.
Surgical treatment by microdiscectomy
The microdiscectomy It is the most standard and currently used technique.. In this case, for the operation of Hernia discal L5-S1 a small incision is made in the back, of some 2 a 5 cm, and through different systems that magnify vision, it is possible to open space in L5-S1, so remove the herniated disc. To do this, the muscles are dissected and sometimes the facet joint is damaged and the ligament is removed..
Surgical treatment by spinal endoscopy
An alternative is the spine endoscopy, a novel technique that consists of introducing a camera through the hole through which the nerves exit so that it can reach the interior of the column and proceed to treat the Hernia discal L5-S1 by operation.
This technique has the advantage that it allows resorting to the use of a natural access, which prevents the muscles or joints from being damaged in order to access the interior of the spine. In this way, there is less bleeding., Less postoperative pain and faster recovery.
In fact, the time it takes for a person to recover from surgery Hernia discal L5-S1 varies depending on the technique used for it. In the case of a microdiscectomy it is one to two days, albeit with effort limitations; and in a spinal endoscopy recovery is faster.