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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Can a disc herniation cause paralysis?
The spinal cord stops high up in the spine (lumbar 1) so there are only nerve
roots in the lumbar spine. Nerve roots are very tough structures, so even
a sizable disc herniation is very unlikely to cause paralysis. Rarely, a
large disc herniation can cause loss of bowel or bladder control due to damage
to the sacral nerves, or progressive weakness in the legs due to damage to
the lumbar nerve roots. If you experience either of these conditions, medical
attention should be sought immediately.
I am 35 years old and already have chronic low back pain. Can I expect that
my pain will continue to worsen and that I will become more crippled as I get
older?
Individuals in their thirties and forties are more likely to experience significant
back pain than those who are in their sixties and seventies. This is probably
due to the fact that as the spine ages and degenerates, there is less motion
and consequently less pain related to the motion. Also as we age the proteins
in the disc space will eventually wear out, and these proteins tend to be the
source of inflammation and pain. As a result, your back pain is more likely
to improve with age rather than get worse.
My child has recently been diagnosed with scoliosis. What are the chances
she will have back pain in adulthood?
For all intents and purposes, her chances are about the same as the general
population; about 80% likelihood that she will have low back pain at some point.
Scoliosis represents a structural deformity primarily in the thoracic (chest)
spine, and has not been shown to be painful in childhood or adulthood. You
should however consult a chiropractor so that proper motion can be restored
to those joints that are affected.
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