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Lumbar Disc Disease, Sports Medicine

Jin Choi, DO Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Any disease process that alters the normal anatomy of the discs between the vertebral bodies, causing various musculoskeletal and/or neurologic symptoms (low back pain, radiculopathy...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Often presents with history of multiple episodes of back pain that vary in severity and duration:

    • This accumulated recurrent back pain can lead to disc herniation.

    • May present following...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Clinicians should advise patients that most acute low back pain with or without sciatic symptoms resolves within the 1st month, and it generally has a very favorable prognosi...

REFERENCES

1
Gregory DS, Seto CK, Wortley GC, et al. Acute lumbar disk pain: navigating evaluation and treatment choices. Am Fam Physician.  2008;78(7):835–842.
2
Kreiner DS, Hwang SW, Easa JE, et a...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, et al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.  2015;36...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Obtaining detailed and careful history and physical exam is the key for making proper diagnosis and treatment plan for any lumbar disc disease etiology.

  • Although the specificity is low,...

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