Surgical treatment for a lumbar or flank hernia includes:
- Microdiscectomy: This procedure is done through a small incision at the level of the disk herniation that often requires...
- Spinal fusion:A surgical procedure used to fix the problems in the bones of the spine (vertebrae).In this procedure, the...
Can a lumbar hernia be life-threatening?
A lumbar hernia is a type of abdominal wall hernia. Although rare in itself, complications of strangulation or incarnation of the hernia can develop. Intestinal blockage is also rare but can develop with lumbar hernias. Complication can be life-threatening, especially when not treated early.
How does a lumbar hernia affect the body?
Symptoms
- Arm or leg pain. If your herniated disk is in your lower back, you'll typically feel the most pain in your buttocks, thigh and calf. ...
- Numbness or tingling. People who have a herniated disk often have radiating numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.
- Weakness. Muscles served by the affected nerves tend to weaken. ...
What causes a lumbar hernia?
What Causes Lumbar Hernia?
- Aging and degeneration
- Excess weight
- A sudden stress from heavy lifting
How is a lumbar hernia diagnosed?
Lumbar hernia can be diagnosed during physical examination. When symptoms develop, they often involve a bulge in the lumber (lower back) region that is tender or painful. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may suspect lumbar hernia and confirm the diagnosis with CT scan. Show More.
How do you fix a lumbar hernia?
There are two possible surgical approaches: the anterior approach with lumbar incision and the laparoscopic (transabdominal or totally extraperitoneal) approach. The repair of lumbar hernia by laparoscopy was first published in 1997 by Heniford et al 8 .
How serious is a lumbar hernia?
Lumbar hernias do not always require treatment if the symptoms are mild. The hernia should be monitored to ensure it does not become incarcerated or become at risk for strangulation. If the lumbar hernia is painful or at risk for strangulation, surgery may be needed for repair.
What are the symptoms of lumbar hernia?
A Lumbar hernia is usually noticed as a lump on the back, which can be painful on coughing. A lumbar hernia can also have other vague symptoms of general back pain or discomfort. The lump may still be apparent on lying flat and also be aggravated by exercise.
How long does lumbar hernia surgery take?
In these studies, a total of 14 patients underwent laparoscopic repair of lumbar hernias. Defect sizes ranged from 78cm2 to 150cm2, operative time ranged from 138 minutes to 144 minutes, and hospital stay ranged from 1 day to 3.5 days. No serious complications were reported.
What causes lumbar hernia?
These hernias are associated with rib and vertebral anomalies. Primary, or spontaneous, lumbar hernias comprise about 54% of the reported cases and are associated with age, rapid weight loss, chronic disease, muscular atrophy, and strenuous physical labor.
How common is a lumbar hernia?
Background. Superior lumbar hernia is a rare posterolateral abdominal wall defect and herniation of abdominal contents through the superior lumbar triangle. A lumbar hernia is an unusual defect and only 300 cases of primary lumbar hernias have been reported since the first case report in 1731.
Do lumbar hernias go away?
The good news is that in most cases — 90% of the time — pain caused by a herniated disc will go away on its own within six months.
Can hernia be treated without surgery?
A hernia usually does not go away without surgery. Non-surgical approaches such as wearing a corset, binder, or truss may exert gentle pressure on the hernia and keep it in place. These methods may ease the pain or discomfort and may be used if you are not fit for the surgery or awaiting surgery.
Where is a lumbar hernia?
Lumbar hernias located in the superior lumbar triangle may be imaged as an impingement upon the boundaries of the inner latissimus dorsi. Lumbar hernias in the inferior lumbar triangle will be found superiorly to the lateral iliac crest.
Is hernia surgery a major surgery?
Comparing surgical repair options Open hernia repair is a major surgery that's performed with the aid of general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation. It's done through one or two standard-sized incisions (three to six inches in length) that allow the surgeon to fully visualize and access the problematic area.
Is hernia surgery painful?
While you may experience pain before and after hernia surgery, you will likely be asleep during surgery and will not feel any pain. In most open, laparoscopic and robotic hernia repairs, your hernia surgery will use general anesthesia during the procedure.
How do you sit on the toilet after back surgery?
Use an elevated toilet seat or commode to raise the level of the toilet. Do NOT lean over your legs while sitting. 2. Wear your brace while using the bathroom.
How to treat lumbar hernia?
The only efficient way to treat a Lumbar Hernia is through surgical procedures because these hernias are prone to incarceration and strangulation. Also, the gradual increase in size could make it more difficult to treat, which means that healthcare providers will have to work as quickly as possible to fix the issue.
Why do lumbar hernias occur?
Several medical experts state that a Lumbar Hernia develops over time due to a weakness of the abdomen wall and loss of muscle and fatty tissue. More often than not, such issues are inherent to aging, illness, or trauma. While in some cases, they may also occur as complications ...
What is the peritoneum of a lumbar hernia?
The peritoneum is a thin, yet solid membrane made up of several layers, of which two are the most important. Those two layers are the Omentum, which is in front of the stomach and intestine;
What is the name of the area where a hernia protrudes?
When an abdominal hernia develops toward the back of the abdomen wall, it can protrude through the Superior Lumbar Triangle, and that causes Lumbar Hernia.
Can a lumbar hernia cause abdominal cramps?
But in the case of this condition becoming a more complicated issue due to external or internal factors, then the Lumbar Hernia causes more severe symptoms including abdominal cramping, bowel obstruction, and an irreducible hernia bulge. While some people could list potential symptoms, such signs vary so much that they could confuse most doctors as ...
Is a hernia a rare form of abdominal wall hernia?
Is a rare form of abdominal wall hernia, which is very difficult to diagnose. Those who are familiar with the concept of hernias are aware that such conditions’ main defining feature is the protrusion of an organ or tissues outside their rightful place in the body.
Can lumbar hernias grow?
Also, just like some medical experts point out, Lumbar Hernias can and will grow larger if left untreated.
Why do men have lumbar hernias?
Lumbar or flank hernias can be caused by weakness in the abdominal wall combined with straining and excess weight, similar to other hernias. However, it is common for lumbar hernias to be caused by trauma to the side or back of the abdominal wall. Older individuals over 50 years of age and men are at the highest risk for lumbar hernias.
Where is the lumbar triangle?
The area between the bottom rib and the hip bone in the lower back is called the lumbar triangle, with one on each side. This area in the back of the abdominal cavity can be susceptible to hernias, albeit rare. A lumbar hernia can occur in the lumbar triangle in the lower back, presenting on the side of the abdomen. At Core Surgical, hernia specialists offer lumbar hernia treatment at our medical center in NYC.
What is the best treatment for lumbar disc herniation?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs): Medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen helps relieve pain caused by herniated lumbar disc. Epidural steroid injection: An injection of a drug (like cortisone) into the around the nerve provides pain relief by reducing inflammation.
How do you know if you have a lumbar hernia?
However, some of the lumbar hernia symptoms include: Back pain and swelling around the area of the bulge. Abdominal cramping and tenderness. Numbness or a tingling sensation in the leg and foot. Pain that worsens when coughing or straining.
What age do lumbar hernias occur?
Lumbar hernias or flank hernias, typically occur in individuals aged 50 to 70 and are more common in men.
How to help lower back pain?
Avoid sitting for long periods make all your physical activity slow and controlled, especially lifting and bending forward. Physical therapy: Specific stretching exercises and massage will help strengthen your lower back and abdominal muscles.
Is lumbar hernia surgical or nonsurgical?
He also says that depends on the severity of the condition the treatment of lumbar hernia can be either nonsurgical or surgical.
Can a lumbar hernia be treated with surgery?
Only a few patients with lumbar hernia require surgery. This is recommended when the nonsurgical treatment has not relieved the painful symptoms of the herniated lumbar disc or for those who are experiencing muscle weakness and difficulty walking. Surgical treatment for a lumbar or flank hernia includes:
Why is flank hernia surgery so difficult?
Surgical repair of flank hernias can be very challenging because of the anatomic location of the hernia. The area to be repaired is often bordered by bone and other weak tissue structures that generally do not support the use of mesh.
What is a flank hernia?
A flank hernia, also known as a lumbar hernia, results from defects in the postero-lateral abdominal wall that allows the tissues inside the abdomen to protrude.
Can a lumbar hernia be asymptomatic?
Individuals suffering from a lumbar hernia may be completely asymptomatic. If symptoms are present, they include back or flank pain or a dragging sensation. Left untreated, lumbar hernias can grow to large proportions.
Definition
A Lumbar hernia is a protrusion through the lumbar triangle. There are two lumbar triangles, which lie between the bottom of the 12th (last) rib and the hipbone and are situated around the back of the body. It is seen as a hernia on the side of the abdomen
Who commonly presents with it?
Lumbar hernia are very rare and can present in any individual. It is also the hernia that can present after a sudden trauma, although this is rare and presents with bruising on the side of the abdominal wall. Diagnosing a lumbar hernia can often prove difficult with further tests required in some cases.
How does it present?
A Lumbar hernia is usually noticed as a lump on the back, which can be painful on coughing. A lumbar hernia can also have other vague symptoms of general back pain or discomfort. The lump may still be apparent on lying flat and also be aggravated by exercise.
How long will your recovery take?
Recovery does not take long, with most patients being discharged within 2 to 3 days of surgery. Complete recovery is based on individual needs and fitness of the patient. Patients are encouraged to start mobilising gently immediately after surgery and refrain from lifting heavy objects for at least one month.
What are the main risks of surgery?
Your surgeon will advise on any specific complications and risks. For all types of surgery there is always a risk of wound infection and a 2-5% risk of recurrence of the hernia as well as bowel and other organ injury.
Why is flank hernia surgery so difficult?
Surgical repair of flank hernias can be very challenging because of the anatomic location of the hernia. The area to be repaired is often bordered by bone and other weak tissue structures that generally do not support the use of mesh.
What is a flank hernia?
A flank hernia, also known as a lumbar hernia, results from defects in the postero-lateral abdominal wall that allows the tissues inside the abdomen to protrude.
Can a lumbar hernia be asymptomatic?
Individuals suffering from a lumbar hernia may be completely asymptomatic. If symptoms are present, they include back or flank pain or a dragging sensation. Left untreated, lumbar hernias can grow to large proportions.
What is the procedure to remove a herniated disk?
Surgery. Diskectomy is the surgical removal of the damaged portion of a herniated disk in your spine. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the tougher exterior. This can irritate or compress nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness or weakness.
What tests are needed for a herniated disk?
In most cases of herniated disk, a physical exam and a medical history are all that's needed for a diagnosis. If your doctor suspects another condition or needs to see which nerves are affected, he or she may order one or more of the following tests.
What test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected
This test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected. Myelogram . A dye is injected into the spinal fluid before X-rays are taken. This test can show pressure on your spinal cord or nerves due to multiple herniated disks or other conditions.
How to treat low back pain?
Spinal manipulation has been found to be moderately effective for low back pain that has lasted for at least a month. Rarely, chiropractic treatment of the neck can cause certain types of strokes. Acupuncture. Although results are usually modest, acupuncture appears to ease chronic back and neck pain. Massage.
Can a surgeon remove a disk?
Loss of bladder or bowel control. In nearly all cases, surgeons can remove just the protruding portion of the disk. Rarely, the entire disk must be removed. In these cases, the vertebrae may need to be fused with a bone graft.
Can you take codeine for disk herniation?
Because of the side effects of opioids and the potential for addiction, many doctors hesitate to prescribe them for disk herniation. If other medication doesn't relieve your pain, your doctor might consider short-term use of opioids, such as codeine or an oxycodone-acetaminophen combination (Percocet, Roxicet).
