Lumbar spine: common pathology and interventions

Andrea Strayer

doi:10.1097/01376517-200508000-00003

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Lumbar spine: common pathology and interventions

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Lumbar spine: common pathology and interventions

Andrea Strayer

The Journal of neuroscience nursing, Vol.37(4), pp.181-193

08/2005

DOI: 10.1097/01376517-200508000-00003

PMID: 16206543

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Abstract

Lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are common spine pathologies with different clinical presentations and interventions. HNP generally has an acute onset often without a precipitating event. Unless there is a significant or emergent neurologic deficit, nonsurgical medical management is warranted for 6 or more weeks after the onset of symptoms. If there is no improvement in 6 weeks, surgical intervention may be indicated. Microdiscectomy is the gold standard treatment for uncomplicated HNP. LSS has an insidious onset. Often, clinical presentation is a long history of intermittent back pain and gradual decrease in ambulation due to leg pain-which quickly subsides upon sitting. Medical management is the first treatment choice. If there is no improvement in the patient's condition, surgery may be necessary. As with any spine surgery, patient symptoms, clinical exam, and diagnostics must correlate. Postoperative care differs for microdiscectomy and decompressive laminectomy because the surgical pathology and interventions are different. The usual age variation of patients undergoing either of the two procedures will also change postoperative care needs. Neuroscience nurses provide ongoing patient education, and ensure a complete understanding of the proposed surgical intervention and outcome that may be expected by the patient and family. Congruent expectations between the patient and provider are vital. In addition, accurate assessment and evaluation of the patient's physical and functional progress by neuroscience nurses is of the utmost importance.

Acute Disease

Disease Progression

Diskectomy

Humans

Informed Consent

Intervertebral Disc Displacement - diagnosis

Intervertebral Disc Displacement - etiology

Intervertebral Disc Displacement - therapy

Laminectomy

Low Back Pain - etiology

Lumbar Vertebrae

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Male

Medical History Taking

Microsurgery

Middle Aged

Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures

Neurologic Examination

Nurse Practitioners - organization & administration

Nurse's Role

Nursing Assessment

Patient Discharge

Patient Selection

Perioperative Care - methods

Perioperative Care - nursing

Precipitating Factors

Spinal Stenosis - diagnosis

Spinal Stenosis - etiology

Spinal Stenosis - therapy

Details

Title: Subtitle: Lumbar spine: common pathology and interventions
Creators: Andrea Strayer - Highland Community College - Illinois
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Journal of neuroscience nursing, Vol.37(4), pp.181-193
DOI: 10.1097/01376517-200508000-00003
PMID: 16206543
ISSN: 0888-0395
eISSN: 1945-2810
Language: English
Date published: 08/2005
Academic Unit: Neurosurgery
Record Identifier: 9984696753102771

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