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What Is Posterior Disk Bulging at L1-2?

Four out of five people will experience back pain, and one possible cause is a bulging disk. This can occur at any point in your spine, including at L1-2 of your lumbar vertebrae.

  1. Bulging Disk

    • A bulging disk occurs when one of the soft pads that cushion your spine is damaged. All or part of the disk is pushed out through a weak part of the disk, putting pressure on nearby nerves.

    L1-2

    • A posterior bulging disk at L1-2 occurs when the disk at the top of your lumbar region herniates.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of a bulging disk at L1-2 include pain and weakness when you try to raise either of your thighs while seated. You could also experience pain in your back.

    Treatment

    • A bulging disk at L1-2 can be treated with rest, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication. If non-invasive treatments do not help, surgery including a diskectomy or spinal fusion can be considered.

    Considerations

    • A bulging disk is more likely to occur in men of middle age and older, especially if they do a lot of lifting or strenuous activity. About 90 percent of patients who experience a bulging disk recover without surgery.

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