Herniated Disc
Symptoms
Symptoms of a herniated disc vary greatly depending on the position of the herniated disc and the size of the herniation.
If the herniated disc is:
- Not pressing on a nerve, you may have an ache in the low back or no symptoms at all.
- Pressing on a nerve, you may have pain, numbness, or weakness in the area of your body to which the nerve travels.
- With herniation in the lower (lumbar) back, sciatica
may develop. Sciatica is pain that travels through the buttocks and down a leg to the ankle or foot because of pressure on the sciatic nerve. Low back pain may accompany the leg pain.
- With herniation in the upper part of the lumbar spine, near the ends of the lowest ribs, you may have pain in the front of the thigh.
- With herniation in the neck (cervical spine), you may have pain or numbness in the shoulders, arms, or chest.
Leg pain caused by a herniated disc:
- Usually occurs in only one leg.
- May start suddenly or gradually.
- May be constant or may come and go (intermittent).
- May get worse ("shooting pain") when sneezing, coughing, or straining to pass stools.
- May be aggravated by sitting, prolonged standing, and bending or twisting movements.
- May be relieved by walking, lying down, and other positions that relax the spine and decrease pressure on the damaged disc.
Nerve-related symptoms caused by a herniated disc include:
- Tingling ("pins-and-needles" sensation) or numbness in one leg that can begin in the buttock or behind the knee and extend to the thigh, ankle, or foot.
- Weakness in certain muscles in one or both legs.
- Pain in the front of the thigh.
- Weakness in both legs and the loss of bladder and/or bowel control, which are symptoms of a specific and severe type of nerve root compression called cauda equina syndrome. This is a rare but serious problem, and a person with these symptoms should see a doctor immediately.
Other symptoms of a herniated disc include severe deep muscle pain and muscle spasms.
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| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: August 9, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics | |
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