What should I do about foot numbness caused by lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation mainly presents with symptoms such as lower back pain, radiating pain or numbness in the lower limbs. When patients experience foot numbness, it is usually caused by compression of the nerve roots due to the herniated disc.

1. Diagnostic examination: Utilize imaging studies such as lumbar MRI or CT scan to clearly determine the specific condition of the lumbar disc herniation, including the severity, location, and whether nerve roots are compressed.

2. Conservative treatment: For mild to moderate lumbar disc herniation, non-surgical treatment is recommended. This includes bed rest and avoiding strenuous activities to reduce pressure on the nerve roots; physical therapy such as heat application, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound therapy, which can help relieve muscle tension and pain; medication management using anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants to alleviate pain and inflammation; as well as rehabilitation exercises, including strengthening exercises for the back and abdominal muscles and flexibility training, to enhance spinal stability.

3. Rest and posture adjustment: Avoid prolonged standing or sitting, and try to rest in bed to reduce pressure on the lower back. At the same time, attention should be given to posture adjustment, avoiding bending forward or twisting movements of the waist to prevent worsening of symptoms.

4. Surgical treatment: If conservative treatment proves ineffective and symptoms continue to worsen, surgical intervention may be considered. Surgical options include transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, posterior lumbar laminectomy with decompression, internal fixation, and bone graft fusion. The goal of surgery is to remove the herniated disc material, expand the spinal canal, relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, and thereby restore nerve function.