Most patients with lumbar disc herniation can be correctly diagnosed according to clinical symptoms or signs. Below, the expert in intervertebral disc disease treatment from Kunming Kunlu Hospital will introduce "how to check for lumbar disc herniation". Diagnosis requires combining the actual clinical symptoms of the patient with corresponding clinical imaging examinations.
Clinical symptom examination for lumbar disc herniation
① Low back pain combined with "sciatica", radiating to the calf or foot, with a positive straight leg raise test;
② Significant tender points on the side of the interspinous ligament between L4-5 or L5-S1, accompanied by radiating pain to the calf or foot;
③ Reduced skin sensation on the anterior or posterior lateral side of the calf, reduced toe muscle strength, and reduced or absent Achilles reflex on the affected side. X-ray can exclude other bone lesions.
Clinical imaging examination for lumbar disc herniation
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required for lumbar disc herniation, as well as CT scans and X-ray photography. Some physical examinations are also necessary, such as the straight leg raise test (lying flat on the bed at the start of the examination, slowly lifting your foot straight up until it hurts at a certain angle; both feet should be tested, lifting to 90°). CT provides the clearest results.
For lumbar disc herniation, anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the lumbosacral spine are needed, and oblique views may be added if necessary. Spinal curvature is often observed, sometimes with narrowed intervertebral spaces and lip-like hyperplasia of the vertebral body margins. Although X-ray findings cannot be used as definitive evidence for diagnosing lumbar disc herniation, they can help rule out some conditions like tuberculosis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis, fractures, tumors, and spondylolisthesis. In severe cases or atypical cases where diagnosis is difficult, special examinations such as myelography with iodine oil, CT scans, and MRI may be considered to confirm the diagnosis and locate the herniation. Patients with no significant abnormalities in the above examinations cannot completely rule out lumbar disc herniation.
★Source of this article★ —— The Best Orthopedic Hospital in Kunming: http://www.klguke.com/
Experts in orthopedics at Kunming Kunlu Hospital remind you to pay attention to various signals from your body and adjust accordingly. Understanding the symptoms of diseases can effectively prevent and treat them. If you have any questions, you can consult online experts. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
★【People-friendly Service 24-hour Health Consultation Hotline】★: 0871-5220118
★【People-friendly Service Online Doctor Consultation Platform】★①: http://www.ynguke.com/ask
★【People-friendly Service Online Doctor Consultation Platform】★②: http://www.klguke.com/ask
★Take bus routes 11, A3, A8, 108, 155, 164, or 188 and get off at Army Academy
★【Address of Kunlu Hospital at Army Academy】★: No. 227 Guikun Road, Guandu District, Kunming City