Unraveling the Complex Causes of Low Back Pain: Beyond the Spine

Low back pain (LBP) is among the most prevalent forms of discomfort and is a frequent issue in adults. Despite being sometimes considered a minor inconvenience (Knezevic NN, et al. 2021), LBP is actually one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide, affecting around 65% of the global population (Abbafati C, et al. 2019). It is estimated that the lifetime prevalence of LBP ranges … Continue reading Unraveling the Complex Causes of Low Back Pain: Beyond the Spine

Comprehensive Overview of Herniated Disc Localization, Morphology, and Migration patterns

A. Disc Morphology and Terminology  Understanding Normal Discs, Bulging Discs, and Herniated Discs Understanding the differences between bulging, protruded, and extruded discs is crucial. In 2014, Fardon et al. published recommendations to harmonize lumbar disc nomenclature, helping to standardize these definitions (Fardon DF, et al. 2014). 1. Normal Disc -Defined as morphologically normal without considering the clinical context. 2. Bulging Disc 2a- Symmetric Bulging Disc: … Continue reading Comprehensive Overview of Herniated Disc Localization, Morphology, and Migration patterns

Understanding Radicular Pain: Pathophysiology and Potential Treatments

Radicular pain is caused by stimulation of the sensory root or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of a spinal nerve (Merskey et al., 2007). Radicular pain differs from nociceptive pain in that it is caused by neural activity in the dorsal root rather than stimulation of peripheral nerve ends. As a result, it is distinct from both somatic pain and somatic-referred pain. Furthermore, radicular discomfort is … Continue reading Understanding Radicular Pain: Pathophysiology and Potential Treatments

Management of Sciatic Scoliotic List in Lumbar Disc Herniation: Physical Therapy Approaches and Considerations

Sciatic scoliotic list (SSL) [Matsui H, et al. 1998; Krishnan KM, and Newey ML. 2001], also referred to as sciatic scoliosis [Krishnan KM, Newey ML. 2001; Kim R, et al. 2015; Zhang Y, et al. 2019], trunk list [Gillan MG, et al. 1998], or trunk shift [Wu W, et al. 2019], is observed in 13.2-17.7% of adults with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) [Kim R, et … Continue reading Management of Sciatic Scoliotic List in Lumbar Disc Herniation: Physical Therapy Approaches and Considerations

Imaging and Management Insights for Lumbar Disc Herniation and Radicular Syndrome

Imaging Features and Early Outcomes: Research has shown that the characteristics of lumbar disc herniation on imaging can predict the early outcomes of conservative management. Saal et al. (1990) found that the largest extrusions showed the most resorption, while contained protrusions had the least. Similar findings were reported by Delauche-Cavallier (1992), Maigne (1992), Bush (1992), and Cowan (1992), who noted that young patients often exhibited … Continue reading Imaging and Management Insights for Lumbar Disc Herniation and Radicular Syndrome