LUMBAR DISK DISEASE

Common cause of back and leg pain; usually at L4-L5 or L5-S1 levels. Dermatomal sensory loss, reduction or loss of deep tendon reflexes, or myotomal pattern of weakness more informative than pain pattern for localization. Usually unilateral; can be bilateral with large central disk herniations compressing multiple nerve roots and causing cauda equina syndrome.

Indications for lumbar disk surgery:

• Progressive motor weakness on exam or progressive nerve root injury demonstrated on EMG
• Cauda equina syndrome or spinal cord compression usually indicated by abnormal bowel or bladder function.

Incapacitating nerve root pain despite conservative treatment for at least 6–8 weeks: Trials indicate surgery leads to more rapid pain relief but no difference at 1–2 years compared with neuro surgical treatment.

CERVICAL DISK DISEASES: -

Herniation of a lower cervical disk is a common cause of neck, shoulder, arm, or hand pain or tingling. Neck pain (worse with movement), stiffness, and limited range of neck motion are common. With nerve root compression, pain may radiate into a shoulder or arm. Extension and lateral rotation of the neck narrows the intervertebral foramen and may reproduce radicular symptoms (Spurling’s sign). In young individuals, acute radiculopathy from a ruptured disk is often traumatic. Subacute radiculopathy is less likely to be related to a specific traumatic incident and may involve both disk disease and spondylosis.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT: -

There are many medicines which act very efficiently in cases of disc diseases. They are:-

• Lacnanthes
• Baptisia
• Kali carb
• Phosphoric acid
• Paris quadrifolia
• Kalmia
• Causticum.