Herniated Disc Walking Problems
Structure of the spine
Herniated discs are a common reason people seek treatment for radiating back pain. The spine is composed of bony vertebrae as well as intervertebral discs that sit in between the vertebrate. These cartilaginous discs serve as shock absorbers of the spine and also assist in providing flexibility.
The intervertebral disc is composed of two components. The exterior component is a thick outer ring made of fibrous cartilage called the annulus fibrous. This ring surrounds the gelatinous core layer called the nucleus pulposus. During a herniation, the nucleus penetrates through the annulus, usually posteriorly, toward the spinal cord.
Disc herniation symptoms and causations
Disc herniations most commonly occur in the lumbar spine or lower back, often from a traumatic event such as lifting something heavy or twisting. The likelihood of this occurring increases with age since the discs will dehydrate over time, making them lose their ability to shock absorb and more likely to bulge with stress.
Herniated discs can present with several symptoms such as back pain, radiating pain that travels down one or both legs, numbness, tingling, and loss of motor function. Herniated discs might even affect an individual's ability to walk in the short term and years later due to changes in the spine following disc herniation.
Following a disc herniation
Immediately after a lumbar disc herniation, you may experience some leg pain and difficulty walking, however, this will resolve in most cases within 6 weeks.
In the initial days after a disc herniation, it is common to experience severe back pain with sharp radiating pain into the legs, commonly referred to as sciatic pain. Many individuals will experience little relief from this pain and it might worsen with walking for some.
Additionally, it is possible to experience losses in motor function as well as numbness and tingling in the legs. The reason for this pain is caused by the body’s response to the herniated disc. Increased inflammation often puts pressure on the nerves of the spine. Leg pain is experienced because the nerves of the lumbar spine provide innervation to different regions of the lower extremity, and thus serve important roles in the ability to walk.
While this initial pain is often very severe and debilitating, most individuals will fully recover and return to normal activities within 6 weeks of conservative treatment.
Surgical Intervention
In some cases, pain and dysfunction may continue past 6 weeks, warranting surgical intervention. This typically involves a surgery called a discectomy, which consists of removing the piece of the disc that has herniated and caused compression of the nerves.
Sometimes, with an initial disc herniation, individuals may experience extreme weakness in their legs. They may have a hard time walking and even have continued experiences of tumbling over. If this is combined with bladder or bowel dysfunction then it may represent cauda equina syndrome, which is one condition that could require emergent surgery after a disc herniation.
Long term Symptoms after a herniated disc
While many individuals will exhibit full recovery after a herniated disc, some may notice similar symptoms emerging years down the line. As we age our discs dehydrate and disc herniation becomes more frequent. While this will not always be symptomatic, disc herniations can result in a cascade of changes in the spine.
Over time, this may lead to a condition known as spinal stenosis, in which the spinal cord has become pinched, resulting in more consistent nerve pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling. Some individuals may even go on to have severe weakness or heaviness in their legs and difficulty walking.
These symptoms represent neurogenic claudication which is a manifestation of spinal stenosis. While many may be able to manage their symptoms, this might warrant surgical intervention as well.
lumbar disc herniation
Lumbar disc herniations are a common occurrence that might affect your ability to walk. In the short term, inflammation can result in nerve pain that radiates into your legs and might be exacerbated while walking. Fortunately, this pain will resolve in most patients by 6 weeks and very few will require surgical intervention.
Summary
While many will continue to live unaffected by their herniated disc, some individuals might experience walking problems at a later date. If you were diagnosed with a herniated disc in your past, and start to notice a reemergence of symptoms and decreased ability to walk this can be an indication that your herniated disc was part of a gradual process called lumbar spinal degeneration, which led to neurogenic claudication. If you are experiencing problems walking along with your back pain, it is important to seek treatment from a medical provider.
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