Far Lateral Herniated DiscWhat is a Far Lateral Herniated Disc?
Far lateral herniations are also called far lateral disc protrusions, far lateral disc bulges or
extraforaminal herniated discs.
In many cases, they are also referred to simply as lateral herniated discs, although this term is also often used to describe
posterolateral herniations,
which can make matters even more confusing… I like to avoid using the term "lateral herniation" alone, to prevent the question as to what exact type of lateral is being referred to and usually stick to either "far lateral" or "posterolateral" in my own articles…
Far Lateral Disc Protrusion InformationThe far lateral disc can enact pain by causing a pinched nerve. However, unlike most herniations where the same level nerve is compressed, the far lateral disc bulge compresses the root above the affected level, causing a discrepancy between the symptoms seen and the symptoms expected. The vast majority of these issues occur in the lumbar spine, typically at L3/L4, L4/L5 or L5/S1. In a usual posterolateral herniation, the possibility of nerve root compression exists with the affected nerve being the same level as the herniation… For example, a herniated disc at L4/L5 would potentially compress the L5 nerve root. In a far lateral case, the same herniation at L4/L5 would compress the L4 root above the bulging level…Far Lateral Herniated Disc AdviceThese types of herniations are not common, but they do occur. Unfortunately, they can be difficult to diagnose properly and even once visualized, they can still fall into the many traps suffered by other types of disc bulges. Many are not discovered and can cause pain which defies logic. Others are found, but are not the actual source of pain, since they may be near a nerve root, or even touch a nerve root, without eliciting any symptoms. In these cases, the far lateral is nothing more than a herniated disc scapegoat… In a few lucky patients, structural reasons for pain are correctly identified as stemming from a far lateral disc protrusion and successfully treated. I wish I could say this happens often, but it would be a lie…Far Lateral Herniated Disc to Herniated Disc 8/17/10 Revised 7/15/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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