Dr Adriaan Liebenberg My Spine Explained | Page 26

My Spine Explained The spinal cord extends from the brainstem to the lower spine and ends just below the level of the thoracic and lumbar spine junction. A slipped lumbar disc simply compresses nerve roots that are dangling in the spinal canal. This is because there is no spinal cord at this level, but only nerve roots that orig- inate from the spinal cord. A herniated cervical or thoracic disc, on the other hand, can compress the cord or the nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord. Compression of the spinal cord is very dangerous and can lead to paralysis. One of the earliest signs of impending paralysis is very brisk reflexes when the specialist taps your knee or elbow. What are the symptoms? When the part of the nucleus that herniated compresses the nerves in the lum- bar area, you may experience back pain and pain in one or both legs. Some people experience pins and needles in the legs and feet. You may also feel pain and discomfort in the hip, between the shoulder blades and in the groin. Eventually, symptoms such as weakness and unsteadiness of the legs and feet may occur. In Cauda Equina syndrome the nerves to the bladder and bowel are affected, leading to dysfunction of control of the bowel and bladder. When the part of the nucleus that herniated compresses the nerves in the cer- vical area, you may experience neck pain and pain in one or both arms. Some people experience pins and needles in the hands. Pain and discomfort may also be sensed in the shoulder, between the shoulder blades or at the front of the chest (thorax). At a later stage, weakness in the arms and hands may be experienced. How is it diagnosed? A clinical examination by your specialist or therapist will allow for a reason- able suspicion, but the only definite way is by doing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. 25