Symptoms. Disc Herniation

Herniated disc symptoms

Herniated disc symptoms rely on the precise level of the spine where the disc herniation happens regardless of whether the nerve tissue is aggravated. It is possible that there are no herniated disc symptoms. Be that as it may, disc herniation can cause extreme torment at the level of the spine influenced.

If the disc herniation is sufficiently vast, the disc tissue can push on the contiguous spinal nerves that leave the spine at the level of the disc herniation. This can cause shooting pain in the dispersion of that nerve and, as a rule, happens on one side of the body and is indicated as sciatica. For instance, a disc herniation at the level between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae of the low back can cause shooting pain down the butt cheek into the back of the thigh and down the leg. Now and again, this is related to numbness, muscle weakness, and shivering in the leg.

The agony is frequently exacerbated after standing and decreases with rest. This is frequently alluded to as a “squeezed nerve.” If the disc herniation happens in the cervical spine, the pain may shoot down one arm and cause stiff neck or muscle tensions in the neck. If the disc herniation is severe, it can push spinal nerves on the two sides of the body. This can bring about intense pain down one or both lower limbs. There can be muscle spasms on the lower points of the body and even affect the stomach and bladder. This symptom is known as Cauda Equina disorder.

Some people with a herniated disc do not experience any pain. The herniated disc symptoms come from the pressure placed on the spinal nerves and from irritation. Many people who have herniated discs do have pain due to other problems with their back that were present when the disc ruptured. Typical herniated disc symptoms in the lumbar area of the spine include:

• Pain that radiates into one leg or both legs
• Tingling or numbness in areas of one leg or both legs
• Weakness in certain muscles of one leg or both legs
• The absence of reflexes in one leg or both

The location of these symptoms varies depending on which nerve or nerves have been compressed in the spinal column as a result of the pain. The location of the symptoms will help your physician determine the correct diagnosis. By knowing where you are experiencing pain, your doctor will have a better idea of the location of the ruptured disc.

A herniated disc can cause other symptoms, including reflex dysfunction or an abnormal reflex response in the arms or legs, depending on where in the vertebral column the disc rupture occurs.

• Cervical Spine: If a herniated disc occurs in the upper spine area, neck pain may result, radiating into the shoulders or arms.
• Thoracic Spine: Mid-spine disc herniation is uncommon. If a herniated disc occurs in this area, pain may radiate to the front or back of the body’s trunk.
• Lumbar Spine: A herniated disc in the lower spine typically causes pain that may radiate or shoot into the buttocks, thighs, and legs. This is sometimes called sciatica.

Herniated disc diagnosis

If your physician suspects a herniated disc diagnosis, he will obtain your medical history and complete a thorough physical examination as well as neurological tests. He will observe your spine while standing and walking and may ask you to complete other movements to assess your mobility and balance. He will examine your spine for any sign of abnormality and will check your reflexes, assess sensation and look for any sign of weakness related to a possible herniated disc. He will ask about your pain and other symptoms.

Your physician may recommend imaging tests to help confirm the diagnosis of a herniated disc. He may order tests such as X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan.

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