European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Pain is the most common complaint. Axial back pain is typically present, although some patients do not have this complaint. Radicular pain is more typical and often the more “treatable” ofthe complaints. The pattern of lower extremity radiation depends on the level of the herniation. Lower lumbar or lumbosacral disc herniations can lead to the classic symptoms of pain radiating below the knee. Often pain extends into the foot and can follow a dermatomal distribution. S1 radicular pain may radiate to the back of the calf or the lateral aspect or sole of the foot. L5 radicular pain can lead to symptoms on the dorsum of the foot. Adult patients of either sex with intervertebral disc prolapse with or without neurological deficit, visiting or admitted were taken into the study. Patients with cauda equina syndrome were excluded from study. A total of 160 patients were included in the study. Patients with signs and symptoms of disc prolapse and who come under the inclusion criteria and give informed written consent were selected. Majority of our patients have disc prolapse at more than one level (65%) i.e. disc prolapse involving combination of L4-L5 & L5-S1, L3-L4 & L5-S1 etc. and others have disc prolapse at L4-L5 (23.1%) and L5-S1 (11.9%). No patients had disc prolapse at only level L1-L2, L2-L3 and L3-L4. There is no significant difference in distribution between the groups with respect to level of disc prolapse. (p=0.421).