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Outcomes after micro-lumbar discectomy (MLD), done as described in this blog, were surveyed by questionnaire. Patient were asked to check one of four options for their present symptoms: Excellent - no pain and able to resume normal activities, Good - some pain but not requiring medication and most activities resumed without limitations, Fair - pain … Continue reading Outcomes After Surgery for Herniated Lumbar Disc

An L4 radiculopathy, the signs of which were explained in a previous blog, is a much less common finding. It is due to a HNP at L3/4, which occurs much less frequently than HNPs at either L4/5 or L5/1, where 85-90% of lumbar disc herniations occur.. Because the L4 root exits at L4/5, a far-lateral … Continue reading The Significance of an L4 Radiculopathy

One of the two most common radiculopathies found with lumbar HNP, an L5 radiculopaty is present when one, two or all three of the findings of weak big toe extension, decreased pin prick sensation over the big toe, or a decreased posterior tibial reflex is found. My study, as shown in the LOBAK app, found … Continue reading The Significance of an L5 Radiculopathy

An S1 radiculopathy is usually due to a HNP getting the S1 nerve root as it passes over the L5/S1 disc on its way to exit the spinal canal at the S2/S1 foramen. The calf muscle is very big and strong and it's unusual to find much of any weakness in it, so more often … Continue reading The Significance of an S1 Radiculopathy

Radicle is a medical term for a spinal nerve root as it comes out of the spinal dural sac and goes through its exit canal between two vertebrae. Pathology is an abnormality of body structure. So radiculopathy indicates an abnormality in a nerve root. How do you tell it's the nerve root and not the … Continue reading What is Radiculopathy?

A company called Geno Pharmaceuticals sells a pill for back pain called LOBAK. I think I named my AI program for managing lower back pain I call LOBAK in 1989 before they produced this pain medicine. Their pill is hard to find. Geno is based in India. The LOBAK pill might work pretty well. It … Continue reading LOBAK Tablets

A Lumbar Microdiskectomy in Progress In this photo the muscle retractor is in place and the bayonetted nerve root retractor is mounted and ready to be put in place. Its flexibility will be restored by loosening the wire-tightening lever. It will be tightened again when the retractor is in position. A cautery forceps (rt. hand) … Continue reading Microdiskectomy for Lumbar HNP. Part 6

Above is the nerve root retractor mentioned in part 4. The flexible arm clamps onto the top (right side of this photo). The "bayonet" offset keeps it out of the line of sight. The curved flange at the tip (on the left end in photo) holds the dura and nerve root over. The flange is … Continue reading Microdiskectomy for Lumbar HNP. Part 5

The Flex-Bar Retractor Kit The set, except for the table attachment (black handle), is sterilized. At the appropriate time during micro-diskectomy, the large, solid retractor bar, is passed through a small slit in the drapes to a non-sterile nurse, who affixes it to the table attachment and tightens it into the position held by the … Continue reading Microdiskectomy for Lumbar HNP, Part 4