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5 Telltale Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
Most herniated discs are never felt and are even relatively harmless. But when one protrudes the wrong way, causes inflammation, and pushes on the spinal cord or other nerves, the pain can be excruciating. More than 3 million Americans suffer a herniated disc annually.
Recognizing the telltale signs of a herniated disc is the first step toward preventing worsening back pain and disc-related complications, including chronic sciatica.
In this blog, board-certified interventional pain management expert James Ellner, MD of Georgia Pain Management in Woodstock, Georgia, breaks down how to spot the telltale warning signs of this common problem.
What is a herniated disc?
To protect your spine while enabling fluid movement, each of your 32 discs consists of two parts: a tough, rubbery exterior that maintains proper spacing and enables a full range of motion, and a soft, gel-like interior that serves as an effective shock absorber.
When a spinal disc herniates, or tears open, its inner material leaks, which can irritate and inflame nearby nerves and cause localized pain, most often in your lower back or neck.
Most herniated discs are caused by age-related degeneration, where spinal discs lose water content, become less flexible, and tear more easily. In the lower back (lumbar spine) or neck (cervical spine). Disc herniation can also result from excess weight, poor posture, or a sedentary lifestyle.
Five red flags of a herniated disc
Although the exact nature of the symptoms you might experience with a herniated disc varies depending on its location, these five signs are common indicators of a likely disc injury:
1. Local pain and stiffness
Whether it’s in your lower back or neck, a herniated disc is likely to cause localized pain and stiffness just over the injured area. This dull, achy discomfort may persist continuously or come and go intermittently, depending on what you’re doing.
2. Movement-induced pain
Herniated disc pain tends to worsen with certain movements. Herniated disc pain can intensify with movement such as bending over or twisting. Coughing, sneezing, or sitting for long periods can also exacerbate pain
3. Radiating nerve pain
Radiating nerve pain is a primary indicator of disc herniation. This happens when the disc’s leaking nuclear material irritates or inflames a nearby spinal nerve root, causing pain sensations that radiate across the entire length of that nerve.
In the lower back, a herniated disc often causes radiating nerve pain that affects the sciatic nerve root. When that happens, it causes moderate to severe pain that radiates through the hip and buttocks and down the back of one of your legs. In the neck, radicular pain typically travels down the arm, and sometimes reaches as far as your hand and fingers.
4. Numbness and/or tingling
A leaking herniated disc also frequently causes radiating numbness, tingling, or a pins-and-needles sensation in one of your legs or arms.
5. Muscle weakness
An intense or long-standing herniated disc can cause major neurological interference and muscle weakness. A herniated cervical disc can render your shoulder and arm feeling weak. A herniated lumbar disc can weaken the muscles in your leg and foot.
Prompt evaluation is crucial
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, seek an evaluation with an expert like Dr. Ellne as soon as possible.
With early care, herniated disc pain is often quickly remedied. Delayed intervention can result in having to deal with a much bigger and more painful problem.
Don’t suffer from herniated disc pain. Book a consultation and get on the road to relief by booking a consultation with Dr. Ellner at Georgia Pain Management. Contact the office to request an appointment today.