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Spine
intermediate
X-Type

Lumbar Disc Herniation

Degenerative Spine

A 38-year-old male presents with 6 weeks of right leg pain radiating below the knee, exacerbated by sitting and coughing. Examination reveals weak great toe dorsiflexion and numbness over the dorsum of the foot. MRI confirms a posterolateral L4-L5 disc herniation. Regarding lumbar disc herniation:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

A posterolateral L4-L5 disc herniation typically compresses the traversing L5 nerve root (not the ex...

B

The majority of disc herniations improve with conservative treatment within 6-12 weeks; natural hist...

C

Cauda equina syndrome is not a surgical emergency; it presents with unilateral leg pain without blad...

D

Indications for surgical discectomy include: cauda equina syndrome (urgent), progressive neurologica...

E

A far lateral (foraminal) disc herniation at L4-L5 compresses the exiting L4 nerve root; this causes...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option