Discogenic Back Pain: Importance of Proper Diagnosis & Surgery Implications

Low back pain is a leading cause of disability among the working class in the United States. For many low back pain sufferers, the complication arises out of a sudden movement, often very familiar, which compromises the integrity of the vertebrae.

Discogenic back injuries often result in unilateral, radicular leg pain. With injury to the nerves and discs, the development of lower discogenic back pain originates, usually, from a bending motion that involves flexing forward and then turning the torso. Because the discs can be restricted in this movement, injury often occurs.

Low back pain of a discogenic nature is often accompanied by leg pain. Often, the low back pain is recurrent and progressive, developing into radicular symptoms until, eventually, leg pain sets in. Often, as the leg pain develops, low back pain may dissipate.

Activities of daily living can be impaired in the individual who suffers from discogenic back disorder. With radicular pain through the legs, the activities are even more impaired than normal. Rising from a seated position, including using a toilet, can be difficult. Coughing, laughing or performing any activity that moves the torso suddenly, often brings about excruciating pain. Most discogenic back pain sufferers also report stiffness in the back for as long as 30 minutes.

Not all back pain is associated with a disc complication, some low back pain sufferers experience other types of back complications. Such differential diagnoses may include spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis or even the development of infection or malignancy.

Obtaining proper diagnosis and treatment can be challenging for the low back pain sufferer. Often, when discogenic complications arise, the treatment of choice will ultimately require surgical intervention. However, even with surgery, there are no guarantees of resolution in the radicular symptoms into the legs. In fact, following low back surgery to repair a discogenic complication, it is not uncommon for some patients to experience a neurological complication known as "foot drop" or even development bladder and bowel dysfunction.