What is it?
Acute nerve root compression refers to when a nerve leaving from the spinal cord is compressed by a structure within the back.
How does it happen?
Acute nerve root compression most commonly occurs when an intervertebral disc prolapses. An intervertebral disc refers to the disc between two vertebrae in the lower back. When this disc is injured, its contents may prolapse or bulge outwards into the spinal canal that contains the spinal cord and the nerves that lead on towards the legs. This bulge, therefore, can compress these structures. The mechanism of injury can occur following a relatively simple movement such as bending forward or twisting the spine, as well as through a more complex and forceful movement of the spine.
How does it feel?
Acute nerve root compression produces a sudden onset of pain felt in the lower back. This may be associated with the inability to stand up straight and made worse by sitting, bending, lifting, coughing or sneezing. In addition, this nerve compression may produce pain within the legs. This results from compression of the nerves to the legs. This source of leg pain may be sharp, shooting, and accompanied with pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the legs.
What should you do?
If you have or suspect you have an acute nerve root compression, you should consult your nearest Osteopath. If, in addition to back and leg pain, you have numbness in the saddle region and are having difficulty passing water (urination) you should go to your nearest emergency department.
What shouldn’t you do?
If you have or suspect you have an acute nerve root compression, you shouldn’t ignore the problem and continue to participate in sport. This may lead to your problem increasing which may prolong your recovery. In addition, you should not perform any activities that aggravate your pain.
Could there be any long-term effects?
Acute nerve root compression does not usually produce any long-term effects, as long as it is appropriately diagnosed and treated. Recovery usually takes place in a number of weeks. However, in some cases, this period may be prolonged. This will largely depends on the size of the disc bulge and the extent of nerve compression. If the disc bulge is extremely large and causing severe nerve compression, it may be necessary to undergo surgical procedure to release the pressure on the nerve. This will prolong your recovery time.
Management
The assistance of an osteopath is important in the treatment of acute nerve root compression. Initially, they can assist in diagnosing the problem and determining its severity. This may require the use of imaging techniques such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI. From this information, the sports medicine professional will be able to determine an appropriate treatment plan. This may initially involve techniques to reduce your pain. These may include activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications, spinal traction, electrotherapy treatment, or taping of the back. When your pain has settled sufficiently, the sports medicine professional will be able to provide you with a series of stretching and strengthening exercises. These will be designed to return you back into sports participation, while reducing the chances of the injury re-occurring.
Acute nerve root compression refers to when a nerve leaving from the spinal cord is compressed by a structure within the back.
How does it happen?
Acute nerve root compression most commonly occurs when an intervertebral disc prolapses. An intervertebral disc refers to the disc between two vertebrae in the lower back. When this disc is injured, its contents may prolapse or bulge outwards into the spinal canal that contains the spinal cord and the nerves that lead on towards the legs. This bulge, therefore, can compress these structures. The mechanism of injury can occur following a relatively simple movement such as bending forward or twisting the spine, as well as through a more complex and forceful movement of the spine.
How does it feel?
Acute nerve root compression produces a sudden onset of pain felt in the lower back. This may be associated with the inability to stand up straight and made worse by sitting, bending, lifting, coughing or sneezing. In addition, this nerve compression may produce pain within the legs. This results from compression of the nerves to the legs. This source of leg pain may be sharp, shooting, and accompanied with pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the legs.
What should you do?
If you have or suspect you have an acute nerve root compression, you should consult your nearest Osteopath. If, in addition to back and leg pain, you have numbness in the saddle region and are having difficulty passing water (urination) you should go to your nearest emergency department.
What shouldn’t you do?
If you have or suspect you have an acute nerve root compression, you shouldn’t ignore the problem and continue to participate in sport. This may lead to your problem increasing which may prolong your recovery. In addition, you should not perform any activities that aggravate your pain.
Could there be any long-term effects?
Acute nerve root compression does not usually produce any long-term effects, as long as it is appropriately diagnosed and treated. Recovery usually takes place in a number of weeks. However, in some cases, this period may be prolonged. This will largely depends on the size of the disc bulge and the extent of nerve compression. If the disc bulge is extremely large and causing severe nerve compression, it may be necessary to undergo surgical procedure to release the pressure on the nerve. This will prolong your recovery time.
Management
The assistance of an osteopath is important in the treatment of acute nerve root compression. Initially, they can assist in diagnosing the problem and determining its severity. This may require the use of imaging techniques such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI. From this information, the sports medicine professional will be able to determine an appropriate treatment plan. This may initially involve techniques to reduce your pain. These may include activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications, spinal traction, electrotherapy treatment, or taping of the back. When your pain has settled sufficiently, the sports medicine professional will be able to provide you with a series of stretching and strengthening exercises. These will be designed to return you back into sports participation, while reducing the chances of the injury re-occurring.