Lumbar disc herniation

The most common cause of disc herniation is the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Consequently, lumbar disc herniations are amongst the most common pathologies of the lumbar spine. Factors that can increase the risk of disc herniation include genetics, weight, occupational risk factors, smoking, as well as a predominantly sedentary profession. Pathognomonic symptoms of a herniated disc include sciatica, caused by the compression of one or more spinal nerve roots. The clinical sequelae of lumbar disc herniations range from mild low back and buttock pain to severe, immobilising cases of sciatica to cauda equina compression syndromes. In 1-1.5% of cases, a cauda equina syndrome may occur. This cauda equina syndrome may be considered an emergency situation that requires immediate attention and surgical decompression. The same applies to significant and rapidly deteriorating neurological deficits (