Cervical / Lumbar Disc Disease
At The Brain and Spine Centre, we specialize in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of neurological and spinal disorders. Dr. Muhammad Aqeel Natt, a leading neurosurgeon in Lahore, provides advanced, safe, and compassionate care for patients.
Cervical / Lumbar Disc Disease
Lumbar disc disease is a common cause of low back and leg pain that needs accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment to protect nerve function and maintain mobility. At The Brain and Spine Centre, Dr. Muhammad Aqeel Natt provides expert care for lumbar disc problems at Farooq Hospital, West Wood Branch, Lahore, offering advanced imaging, evidence-based conservative care, and minimally invasive spine surgery when needed.
Our goal is simple: relieve back and leg pain, decompress nerves safely, and help you return to normal daily activities.
What Is Cervical / Lumbar Disc Disease?
Disc disease occurs when the intervertebral discs—shock-absorbing cushions between vertebrae—degenerate, bulge, or herniate, narrowing the spinal canal or neural foramina. Cervical disease affects the neck (C3-C7); lumbar affects the low back (L3-S1).
Common pathology:
Degenerative disc disease (DDD): disc dehydration, height loss, annular tears.
Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP): inner disc material extrudes, compressing nerves.
Foraminal stenosis from osteophytes or facet hypertrophy.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary by level and severity.
Cervical disc disease:
Neck pain (stiff, achy), worse with extension or loading.
Radiculopathy: sharp, electric pain/numbness/tingling into shoulder, arm, hand/fingers (C6: thumb/index; C7: middle finger).
Myelopathy (cord compression): gait imbalance, hand clumsiness, hyperreflexia, Lhermitte’s sign.
Lumbar disc disease:
Low back pain, worse with flexion/lifting.
Sciatica: leg pain (L4: medial leg; L5: lateral leg/dorsum foot; S1: sole/heel), foot drop (L5).
Cauda equina (emergency): saddle numbness, incontinence, bilateral weakness.
Diagnosis
Clinical history and imaging confirm diagnosis.
Exam: Spurling (cervical), straight-leg raise (lumbar), motor/sensory/reflex testing, Hoffman/Babinski for myelopathy.
MRI: gold standard showing disc herniation, cord/nerve compression, Modic changes.
X-ray/CT: alignment, instability, bony stenosis.
EMG/NCV: if radiculopathy unclear.
Treatment Options
90% improve non-surgically; surgery for failed conservative care or neurology.
Conservative:
NSAIDs, gabapentin, PT (McKenzie extension for lumbar, isometric for cervical).
Epidural steroids: 60-80% short-term relief.
Surgical indications:
Refractory radiculopathy >6-12 weeks, progressive weakness, myelopathy, cauda equina.
Procedures:
Microdiscectomy: remove herniated fragment (95% success).
ACDF (cervical): discectomy/fusion/plating.
TLIF/PLIF (lumbar): interbody fusion for instability.
The Procedure
At The Brain and Spine Centre:
Microdiscectomy: 1-2 cm incision, tubular retractors, remove fragment preserving annulus.
Fusion: discectomy, cage/graft, percutaneous screws.
Intraoperative neuromonitoring, navigation.
Recovery & Aftercare
Discectomy: home day 1, work 2-4 weeks.
Fusion: brace 6 weeks, PT 3 months.
80-95% satisfaction; avoid high-impact 3 months.
Results You Can Expect
Microdiscectomy: 90% leg pain relief, 70% back pain improvement; 5-10% reherniation.
Fusion: 80-90% fusion rate, durable pain relief if instability addressed.
Risks: infection (1%), recurrent disc (5%), adjacent segment (2-3%/year).
Why Choose The Brain and Spine Centre
Expertise in minimally invasive discectomy and motion-preserving options. Advanced imaging/navigation for precise surgery. Multidisciplinary rehab for optimal recovery.
Cost of Disc Disease Treatment
Varies by conservative vs surgical; microdiscectomy lower than fusion. Estimates post-MRI.
