Dear Mr Eujen,
Below I have written down what we discussed today, so You can read it back calmly at home.
What is going on
You have a herniated disc in your lower back. Between your vertebrae sit soft discs that act as shock absorbers. One of those discs is bulging out a little. That bulge presses on a nerve, which is why the pain radiates down into your leg.
What You can do
- Keep moving. Take a short walk every day, even when it feels difficult.
- Alternate between sitting, standing and walking. Do not stay in the same position for too long.
- Leave any heavy lifting to someone else for the next few weeks.
- Do the exercises we discussed together, once a day.
- Warmth on your back can ease the pain (a warm shower or a heat pad).
When to get in touch
Call the practice or your GP straight away if any of these things happen:
- You start having trouble urinating or with bowel movements.
- You feel numbness around your buttocks or between your legs.
- You suddenly lose strength in your foot or leg.
Do You have questions in the meantime? Feel free to bring them up at Your next appointment.
Kind regards,
your physiotherapist