Herniated disc symptoms & treatment
A herniated disc is an injury to the round rubbery section, or disc, located between each of your spinal bones (vertebrae). The discs act as cushions that allow you to bend and move easily. When one of these discs tears or breaks down, it’s called a herniated disc. Other names for this condition are slipped disc or bulging disc. Disc herniation can be painful if the disc begins pressing on the spinal nerve roots. It’s most common in the neck and lower back, causing neck, back and leg pain.
Our Advocate Spine Care Center experts are dedicated to conservative care and begin with a nonsurgical approach to treatment for a herniated disc. This is the first step toward managing pain and determining if your condition can be treated without surgery. If conservative care doesn’t provide relief over time, we may recommend a surgical approach.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
A herniated disc doesn’t always cause pain. However, if a bulging disc in the lower back or neck presses on your spinal nerves, you may experience herniated disc symptoms.
Herniated disc symptoms in the lower back
- Decreased reflexes in your knee or ankle
- Intermittent or continuous pain, often on one side of your body
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, a rare herniated disc symptom that may indicate a more serious problem called cauda equina syndrome (when something is pressing against the nerves at the lower end of your spinal cord)
- Lower back pain
- Muscle weakness or spasms in the lower back
- Numbness, tingling or a “pins-and-needles” sensation in the legs or feet
- Sciatic nerve pain, which begins in the lower back and travels to the buttocks, leg and foot
Herniated disc symptoms in the neck
- Sharp neck pain that sometimes travels to your shoulder, arms, hands and fingers
- Worsening pain when you bend or turn or neck
- Tingling, numbness or muscle weakness in your neck or arms
- Headaches
Is your back and neck pain cause for concern?
Back and neck pain can interrupt even the simplest things in life and can point to a serious problem. Our back and neck pain quiz evaluates your spine function, pain symptoms and risk factors and gives you an idea of what to do next based on your results.
Causes & risk factors for a herniated disc
Disc herniation is usually the result of gradual wear and tear related to aging. The discs become more prone to tearing or rupturing as you get older. Factors that can increase the risk of a herniated disc include:
- Inactivity: Sitting in one place for long periods of time can lead to a herniated disc and make herniated disc symptoms worse.
- Occupation: People who have physically demanding jobs have a greater risk of back problems from repetitive motions like pulling, pushing, lifting and bending.
- Excess body weight: Carrying too much weight strains the discs in your lower back, leading to disc herniation and spinal nerve pain.
- Smoking: Smoking reduces the oxygen supply to your discs, which can cause them to break down sooner.
Expert herniated disc diagnosis
Your doctor will begin the diagnosis by asking about your possible herniated disc symptoms, lifestyle and medical history. Next, they’ll do a physical examination to check for tenderness in the neck and back. They’ll also check your reflexes, muscle strength, walking ability and reactions to light touches, pin pricks or vibration.
Tests to confirm your diagnosis might include:
- Electromyography (EMG): This test uses small needles to measure activity in your muscle. The results determine if the slipped disc in your back or neck is affecting nerve roots.
- Imaging scans: A CT or MRI scan can show images of your discs to help your doctor determine the location of the slipped disc.
- Myelogram: This is a specialized CT scan where dye is injected into your spine to precisely locate the herniated disc and see its size.
- Straight-leg raise test: The doctor asks you to lie on your back while they raise your leg. If you feel back or leg pain at any point, it’s likely you have a herniated disc in your lower back.
Our experienced team will provide a precise diagnosis so we can get you the treatment you need fast.
Comprehensive herniated disc treatment
Once you have a diagnosis, we’ll discuss your personalized treatment plan. We’ll try nonsurgical herniated disc treatment first to relieve your back pain and restore your function.
Nonsurgical herniated disc treatment
- Pain medication: If your pain is mild to moderate, your doctor might recommend herniated disc treatment options of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen to relieve your pain. The doctor may recommend prescription pain medications or muscle relaxants for more severe pain and muscle spasms.
- Cortisone injections: If the pain doesn’t get better with medications, your doctor might recommend injecting a corticosteroid into the area around the spinal nerves for herniated disc treatment.
- Physical therapy: A customized physical therapy plan can strengthen the muscles around your spine and improve your flexibility, which can help prevent further damage. Our physical therapists can also teach you to properly move and lift things to prevent the injury from happening again.
Surgical herniated disc treatment
If nonsurgical herniated disc treatments don’t provide enough relief for a bulging disc in your back or neck, your doctor may discuss surgical procedures with you. Herniated disc surgery may be a good option if you have progressive nerve damage. One of our board-certified neurosurgeons will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop your personalized surgical plan. Our spine surgery options include the most advanced and minimally invasive procedures available.
Ways to prevent a herniated disc
Herniated discs usually develop over time as you age, but there are things you can do to help lower your risk:
- Use proper lifting techniques to avoid putting stress on your spine.
- Eat healthy foods and watch your weight.
- Maintain good posture.
- Stretch and exercise regularly to increase muscle flexibility and strength.
- Don't smoke.
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