Sensitivity loss of the dermatomes

A dermatome is a skin area sensitively innervated by a specific spinal nerve (spinal cord nerve), i.e. the skin sensation is taken over at this point by this specific spinal nerve. If the spinal fibres are compressed in a herniated disc, sensitive failures occur in the segments supplied by them. If sensitive failures are limited to a specific dermatome, the location of the herniated disc can be deduced from this. Frequently, herniated disks are in the area of L4/5 (lumbar vertebral body 5) or L5/S1, which lead to a limited sensation of touch of the inner side of the lower leg and the foot.

Leg bends away

A herniated disc can damage one or more nerve roots and cause various complaints in the leg. If the L5 nerve root is affected, the affected person can kink in the knee when climbing stairs, for example. In S1 syndrome, the leg can also sag away.

The two nerve roots mentioned above supply different muscles of the buttocks. These muscles, especially the Musculus gluteus medius, which is supplied by the L5 nerve root, provide support for the pelvis when walking. If the muscles fail, walking difficulties occur.

Tingling in the legs

A common symptom of a herniated disc in the lower spine is sensory disturbances in the leg and foot. Many patients suffer from sensory disturbances such as tingling or formication. This is a subjective sensory disorder that is perceived by those affected as extremely unpleasant and disturbing.

L5 syndrome

L5 syndrome is a root compression syndrome in which the nerve root at the 5th lumbar vertebra is irritated or injured. It is a frequently occurring syndrome due to the localization typical of a herniated disc. The nerve root L5, which runs between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the first cruciate vertebra, is damaged.

There is either a protrusion of the intervertebral disc or even an exit of the gelatinous core from the fibrous ring, which compresses the nerve root. The L5 syndrome can cause the following characteristic complaints in the leg: Sensitive disorders Motor disorders In addition, motor nerve fibres of the L5 nerve root can be damaged. The consequences are paralysis.

These become apparent to the affected person as a restriction in the hip joint and weakness of dorsiflexion of the foot. Muscles such as the gluteus medius muscle, the extensor hallucis longus muscle and the anterior tibialis muscle can be affected. Lifting of feet and toes is not possible and the patients have a conspicuous, restricted gait pattern.

The patients are unable to walk in a heel gait. – This includes pain that can extend from the back of the thigh to the outer knee, the front and side lower leg, the back of the foot and the big toes. – In addition to pain, sensitivity disorders such as tingling, formication or a feeling of numbness in the affected area may occur.