Signs of a Herniated Disc

The discs that cushion your vertebrae are called spinal discs. As a result of wear-and-tear or injuries incurred in accidents, these discs can slip or bulge, which can irritate the surrounding nerves. When the nerves are irritated, it can cause pain symptoms in your back, neck, and other parts of your body. This condition is called a herniated disc, slipped disc, or bulging disc, and it can occur in any part of your spine.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine if you have a herniated disc. Pain symptom are often associated with other causes of back pain. If you have back pain, it is important to seek medical attention to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Here are the most common signs of a herniated disc.

Pain

A herniated disc can cause pain in your neck, upper arm, lower back, buttocks, thigh, calf, or foot. The location of the symptoms depends on which part of the spine has the herniated disc. For example, a herniated disc in the upper back often causes symptoms in the arms, while a herniated disc in the lumbar can cause symptoms in the lower extremities.

The pain could be sharp, stabbing, or burning. Coughing, sneezing, and shifting positions may trigger shooting pain. Getting up after sitting for a long time or bending down can also be very painful. Pain symptoms often tend to be worse at night or after you do physical activities, such as exercising, playing sports, or doing hobbies. Your symptoms may not be identical to another person with the same condition. Herniated discs can affect different sets of nerves, which leads to different symptoms.

Numbness and Tingling Sensations

Depending on which nerves are irritated by the herniated disc, you may feel numbness or tingling in part of your body. Numbness or weakness in the lower extremities may be a sign that your sciatic nerve is irritated by the herniated disc.

Why Seek Treatment

It is important to seek treatment if you experience pain and suspect you may have a herniated disc. Herniated discs can cause permanent damage to nearby nerves if they are left untreated, which can lead to chronic pain that may be impossible to effectively treat later on.

If you experience pain in your back or extremities, promptly see an orthopedic doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Herniated Disc Diagnosis and Treatment in Missouri

At Advanced Bone & Joint, our orthopedic team delivers exceptional care and treatment to patients with all types of orthopedic conditions and injuries, including herniated discs. We specialize in spine care, so you will be in good hands. We also offer surgical and nonsurgical treatments as well as urgent care and sports medicine services. If you are suffering from an orthopedic issue, we are happy to see you at our offices in St. Peters and O’Fallon.

To schedule a consultation, call Advanced Bone & Joint at (636) 229-4222 or send us an appointment request now. We look forward to helping you find relief.