A previously healthy 45 yrs old laborer suddenly develops acute lower back pain with right-leg pain and weakness of dorsiflexion of the right great toe. Which of the following is TRUE?
This seems to be a case of interveebral disk prolapse at L4 - L5 level involving L5 root. Here since there is muscular weakness, surgical intervention is indicated. Ref: Schwaz Pretest Surgery, Q. 720
Immediate treatment should include analgesics muscle relaxants and back strengthening exercises
The appearance of the foot drop indicate early surgical intervention
If the neurological sign resolve within 2 to 3 weeks but low back pain persists, the proper treatment would include fusion of affected Lumbar veebra
If the neurological signs fail to resolve within 1 week, Lumbar laminectomy and exscision of any herniated nucleus pulposus should be done