Where is l3 4 and 5 on the spine

The information you give us in clinic and our clinical testing will help establish at which level in your spine you have a trapped nerve. There are a few terms commonly used when describing discs which we can quickly clarify.

A disc bulge is where the outer wall of the disc bulges out from its normal position. The disc wall is not broken, and the nucleus material is contained inside the disc. As the disc bulges, it may press against nerves directly. Often a bulge can be associated with a loss of disc height and this may lead to impingement of a nerve as it exits the spinal canal via a gap called a foramen between two vertebrae.

A herniated disc is the same as a prolapsed disc. This is where the nucleus of the disc breaks through the outer disc wall. There will be a loss of disc height as the disc loses pressure and the nucleus material can press directly on to the spinal nerves causing pain. Or, the material of the disc nucleus may act as a biochemical irritation to the nerve in which case the result is the same… pain!

It can imply a disc bulge or a herniation, usually a herniation. This MRI below demonstrates a herniated disc pressing on nerves. The nerves are demonstrated by the broad white descending line seen in the scan. This is the spinal cord and departing spinal nerves. If you look carefully you can see the herniation making contact with these delicate structures. The resulting pain from a herniated disc will often refer hence the term radicular pain down the pathway of a nerve and into the limb it innervates, causing either sciatica in the case of the lower back or pain into the neck, shoulder and arm if in the neck.

This can often be accompanied with pins and needles in the foot or hand depending on this location. Spinal stenosis refers to a build-up of bony deposits in the vertebrae. It is typically associated with the ageing process. As we get older, in the same way that our skin ages, so too do our discs. Everyone will have degenerative discs to some degree; it goes with the territory unfortunately.

In some cases, the loss of disc height as we lose water leads to more load pressure being exerted on the vertebrae. The body reacts to the increased load by laying down more bone to reinforce the vertebrae. In some cases, the extra bone can narrow and exert pressure on the spinal cord central stenosis or exiting nerve roots lateral stenosis. But, it can exacerbate other spinal cord injury types. Some spinal injuries can cause cysts to develop inside the spinal column.

These fluid-filled sacs can put pressure on spinal nerves—causing pain, loss of sensation, or loss of function at the injury site. These cysts are most often caused by repetitive motion stress injuries i. Such cysts can be identified using magnetic resonance imaging MRI scans, but most doctors will probably start with an X-ray to rule out other conditions, such as spinal fractures.

These fractures are most often the result of traumatic force—such as falls, gunshots, or physical blows—being applied to the spine. Fractures carry a high risk of causing complete spinal cord injuries—preventing any signals from the central nervous system from reaching below the injury site. As such, all fractures should be handled with extreme caution to prevent worsening a lumbar SCI. In some cases, treatment may not produce any noticeable improvement in lumbar SCI symptoms.

Meanwhile, another person undergoing the same exact combination of drugs, surgery, and therapy might see marked improvement. It can also help to look for SCI support groups. These groups are filled with people who have been in the same situations and overcome them—and may have great advice for helping you do the same.

They can help recommend mobility assistance solutions, exercise regimens, and more that can help people living with lumbar SCIs lead healthy, active, and fulfilling lives. Spinal cord injuries are traumatic for patients and their families. They cause disruptive changes to every aspect of your life and there is a lot of new information to navigate and understand. Our experts have collected everything in one place to help you learn more about your injury, locate doctors and treatment centers, find financial support, and get assistance navigating your next move.

Watch Our Video. Author: Spinalcord. What is the L1 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L1 Injury? What is the L2 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L2 Injury? What is the L3 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L3 Injury? What is the L4 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L4 Injury? What is the L5 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L5 Injury? What is Lumbarization? The Rare Sixth Lumbar Vertebra While most people have only five lumbar vertebrae, there are cases where someone could have an extra lumbar vertebra.

Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms Patients with lumbar spinal cord injuries may experience: Paraplegia with functional independence The need for a manual wheelchair for part-time or full-time use Ability to ambulate using braces or other walking devices Lack of control of bowels or bladder What Are the Causes of Lumbar Spine Injuries?

The most common causes spinal cord injuries at the lumbar level are: Motor vehicle accidents Trauma Falls Birth defect Degeneration Osteoporosis Different Lumbar Spinal Cord Injuries There are several types of spinal cord injury that can affect the lumbar spine: Sacralization Where lumbarization is the presence of an extra bone in the lumbar spinal column due to the failure of the first and second sacral spine to fuse, sacralization is the fusing of the L5 vertebra with the sacral spine.

Cysts Some spinal injuries can cause cysts to develop inside the spinal column. Vertebrae, along with the discs in between them, provide protection for the spinal cord and nerves that run through them. At L1 level, the true spinal cord ends, dividing into nerves called the cauda equina, which run to the lower body and extremities.

Age and posture may aggravate common problems with the L3, such as ligament or muscle strain. Less common problems are osteoarthritis or disc hernias. While many symptoms can be alleviated with medication or physiotherapy, surgery or other endoscopic techniques may be an option for chronic back pain. The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae and is located at the base of the skull. Its function is to support the skull, enabling head movements….

The tenth thoracic vertebra T10 is one of twelve vertebrae that make up the central section of the vertebral column. The spine consists of three…. The thoracic spinal vertebrae consist of 12 total vertebrae and are located between the cervical vertebrae which begin at the base of the skull and…. An intervertebral disk acts as shock absorber between each of the vertebrae in the spinal column by keeping the vertebrae separated when there is….