What should I do if a herniated lumbar disc is compressing a nerve and causing leg pain? Is getting an injection effective?
Disease description:
The intervertebral disc is already compressing the nerve, causing severe leg pain. What should I do when a herniated disc compresses a nerve and causes intense leg pain? Will injections help?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Guan Yanlei
When lumbar disc compression causes leg pain due to nerve compression, treatment should involve medications or surgery, as injections are ineffective. Patients with leg pain caused by lumbar disc-induced nerve compression may take oral medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or meloxicam tablets to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. If muscle spasms occur, drugs such as chlorzoxazone may be taken orally. Other treatment options include minimally invasive surgery, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, and percutaneous needle puncture procedures.
