Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026

10:09
Transtubular Endoscopic Posterolateral Decompression for L5-S1 Lumbar Lateral Disc Herniation
Published on: October 14, 2022
4.8K
Sharp, left-sided back pain · bilateral leg weakness · degenerative disc disease · Dx?
Nicole Abel1, Rocco Terrigno, Nami Kim
1Department of Internal Medicine, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, USA.
The Journal of Family Practice
|February 12, 2015
Summary
An elderly woman presented with acute left-sided back pain, radiating hip pain, and leg weakness. This case highlights the importance of considering serious spinal conditions in older adults presenting with these symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Acute onset of severe back pain in the elderly can indicate serious underlying pathology.
- Radiating pain and neurological deficits warrant thorough investigation.
Related Concept Videos
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology
2
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...
2
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
2
Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
2
Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction
2
Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
2
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
715
Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
715

