L5S1Disc extrusion (asymptomatic)

Contributor:

Dr. Chris Ekong

Case 2

Age: 38

Sex: Female

History: 2 months of back pain with left sided radioculopathy.

Examination:

Showed SLR of 80 degrees on the right 45 degrees on the left. The left ankle reflex was absent and there was impaired sensation in the left S1 dermatome.

Clinical Diagnosis:

Left L5S1 disc protrusion.

Treatment:

The MRI was done 2 weeks after the initial assessment. By the time the patient was reviewed after the MRI, the symptoms had resolved other than slight numbness in the left S1 dermatome. The left ankle reflex was still absent. She is being treated conservatively for now.

Comments:

August 19, 2000

Treatment is directed towards the symptoms. This patient does not even require analgesics. It appears that there is enough room for the left S1 nerve root and the huge extruded disc to coexist.

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