A herniated disc is a condition where the outer portion of a spinal disc breaks down and the inner portion leaks out. Symptoms occur when the inflammatory proteins present in the disc's inner core or pressure from the disc itself affects a nearby spinal nerve. The majority of disc herniations occur in the lower back or lumbar region of the spine between the L3 and S1 spinal levels.
Herniated disc symptoms are typically felt on only one side of the body. The symptoms of a lumbar herniated disc are commonly referred to as sciatica and cause searing or sharp pain in the lower back, pelvis, leg and foot, and sensations of weakness, tingling, or numbness in the lower extremities. When a herniated disc occurs in the neck or cervical region of the spine, it can cause pain to radiate down the shoulder into the arm and fingers, as well as neurological symptoms.
A herniated disc is relatively rare in the upper back or thoracic region of the spine. When it does occur, pain is commonly felt in the upper back and sometimes radiates into the chest and abdomen. If a disc herniates into the spinal cord or cauda equina area, it can cause spinal cord dysfunction, or myelopathy, which is a medical emergency. Symptoms include numbness, loss of balance, lower extremity weakness, and loss of bladder control. It's important to understand the underlying cause of these symptoms in order to effectively treat a herniated disc.
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