Herniated lumbar disc care in Meridian, Mississippi

A herniated lumbar disc happens when the soft center of a disc in the low back pushes through its outer layer and irritates a nearby nerve. That can cause low back pain, buttock pain, or sciatica: pain, numbness, or tingling that travels into the leg (lumbar radiculopathy).

I am Edward Smith, M.D., a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon at Meridian Orthopaedic Specialists. I evaluate herniated lumbar discs in Meridian for patients from across east Mississippi and west Alabama, with an emphasis on accurate diagnosis and the least invasive plan that still addresses your symptoms. When surgery is indicated, that can include minimally invasive and endoscopic options when they fit. They may not be right for every patient or every diagnosis.

Symptoms patients often notice

• Low back pain that may radiate into one or both legs
• Sharp or burning leg pain worse with sitting, bending, or coughing
• Numbness or tingling in a specific part of the leg or foot
• Weakness with standing on the toes or heels, or trouble lifting the foot

Not every disc finding on an MRI needs treatment. We match the image to your exam and symptoms.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away if you have new loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or sudden severe leg weakness.

Diagnosis

Evaluation typically includes a focused spine and neurologic exam; review of prior imaging, or new MRI when the story suggests a disc-related nerve problem that is not improving; and ruling out red-flag causes when needed.

Treatment approach

Most herniated discs improve without surgery. Time, guided activity, therapy, and medications help many people. Injections can calm nerve inflammation when pain is severe or lingering; those are coordinated through our team when appropriate.

Surgery may be appropriate when:

• Leg pain from a confirmed disc herniation persists despite conservative care
• Weakness is progressive or functionally limiting
• Imaging and exam clearly line up with the same nerve root

Discectomy means removing the portion of disc that is pressing on the nerve. We discuss risks, benefits, and recovery in plain terms before any procedure. Results vary; the aim is durable relief of nerve compression symptoms when non-surgical care is not enough.

Care close to home

Herniated disc evaluation, X-rays, therapy, injections, and surgery when needed are available through Meridian Orthopaedic Specialists. Call 601.385.9111.

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