Does impingement of the thecal sac cause pain?
It can result in impingement on the nerves of the cauda equina or on the thecal sac itself, and lead to debilitating symptoms such as severe leg pain, or restriction in the perimeter of ambulation, both resulting in dependency in daily activities.
What is the thecal sac in the lumbar spine?
The thecal sac or dural sac is the membranous sheath (theca) or tube of dura mater that surrounds the spinal cord and the cauda equina. The thecal sac contains the cerebrospinal fluid which provides nutrients and buoyancy to the spinal cord.
What happens when the thecal sac is compressed?
If there is central stenosis and marked compression of the entire dural/thecal sac, the patient may demonstrate paralysis (e.g., cauda equina syndrome) with sphincter loss (bladder and rectal dysfunction).
Does thecal sac compression require surgery?
Treatment for Spinal Cord Compression
Non-surgical treatments can be very effective in controlling pain and reducing inflammation. Depending on the patient, surgery may not be necessary.
What are the symptoms of L4 L5 nerve damage?
Common symptoms and signs include: Sharp pain, typically felt as a shooting and/or burning feeling that originates in the lower back and travels down the leg in the distribution of a specific nerve, sometimes affecting the foot. Numbness in different parts of the thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes.
What nerves are in the thecal sac?
Neural Anatomy. The thecal sac ends blindly at the S2 level. The lower sacral and coccygeal nerves emerge from the sac, as does the extradural portion of the filum terminale. The upper four roots exit the sacrum through the paired ventral and dorsal sacral foramina.
What causes L4 and L5 disc problems?
External trauma from falls or motor vehicle accidents may cause facet joint dislocation, fracture, and/or damage to the cauda equina at this level. Rarely, tumors and infections may affect the L4-L5 vertebrae and spinal segment.
Is L4-L5 disc bulge serious?
Most importantly, an L4-L5 disc bulge can lead to prolonged pain and other, more serious conditions like spondylolisthesis if you delay treatment. Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra shifts or slips, and can cause significant pain that may require surgery to fix.
Can L4-L5 cause bowel problems?
An injury to the cauda equina may cause severe pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, or paralysis in both legs. There may also be a reduction or complete loss of bowel and/or bladder control.
What nerves are affected by L4 L5-S1?
The sacral plexus is formed by the lumbosacral trunk (L4 and L5) and sacral nerves S1, S2, and S3. The main nerves arising from the sacral plexus are the sciatic, posterior femoral cutaneous, and pudendal nerves. The lower part of the sacral plexus is sometimes referred to as the pudendal plexus.
What are the symptoms of L5-S1 nerve damage?
Common Symptoms and Signs Stemming from L5-S1
- Pain, generally felt as a sharp, shooting, and/or searing feeling in the buttock, thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes.
- Numbness in the foot and/or toes.
- Weakness in the leg and/or foot muscles and an inability to lift the foot off the floor (foot drop)
What are the symptoms of L4-L5 nerve damage?
What nerves does L4 L5 affect?
The L4 and L5 nerves (along with other sacral nerves) contribute to the formation of the large sciatic nerve that runs down from the rear pelvis into the back of the leg and terminates in the foot.
What does L5 S1 pain feel like?
Pain, generally felt as a sharp, shooting, and/or searing feeling in the buttock, thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes. Numbness in the foot and/or toes. Weakness in the leg and/or foot muscles and an inability to lift the foot off the floor (foot drop)
What nerves are affected by L4 L5 S1?