Herniated Disc | Medtick
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Herniated Disc

What is it?

A herniated disc occurs when the inner gel in the disc that is part of the spinal cord leaks out and puts pressure upon a spinal nerve causing back pain and sciatica.

  • The majority of  herniated discs occur between L4 and L5 or L5 and S1, which may result in impingement of the corresponding proximal nerve root.
  • Pain caused by lumbar disc disease can often be managed conservatively; however, treatment must be customised to each patient’s unique symptoms.

Diagnosis tests

Consider:

In most cases of herniated disk, a physical exam and a medical history are all that’s needed for a diagnosis. If your doctor suspects another condition or needs to see which nerves are affected, he or she may order one or more of the following tests.

Imaging tests

  • X-rays. Plain X-rays don’t detect herniated disks, but they can rule out other causes of back pain, such as an infection, tumours, spinal alignment issues or a broken bone.
  • CT scan. A CT scanner takes a series of X-rays from different directions and then combines them to create cross-sectional images of the spinal column and the structures around it.
  • MRI. Radio waves and a strong magnetic field are used to create images of the body’s internal structures. This test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected.
  • Myelogram. A dye is injected into the spinal fluid before a CT scan is taken. This test can show pressure on the spinal cord or nerves due to multiple herniated disks or other conditions.

Nerve tests

Electromyograms and nerve conduction studies measure how well electrical impulses are moving along nerve tissue. This can help pinpoint the location of nerve damage.

  • Nerve conduction study. This test measures electrical nerve impulses and functioning in the muscles and nerves through electrodes placed on the skin. The study measures the electrical impulses in nerve signals when a small current passes through the nerve.
  • Electromyography (EMG). During an EMG, a doctor inserts a needle electrode through the skin into various muscles. The test evaluates the electrical activity of muscles when contracted and when at rest.

MayoClinic

Cause

Symptoms

Most herniated disks occur in the lower back, but they can also occur in the neck.Signs and symptoms depend on where the disk is situated and whether the disk is pressing on a nerve.

  • Herniated disks usually affect one side of the body.
  • Arm or leg pain:
    • If your herniated disk is in your lower back, besides pain in your lower back, you’ll typically feel pain in your buttocks, thigh and calf.
    • You might have pain in part of the foot as well.

For a herniated disk in your neck, you’ll typically feel the most pain in your shoulder and arm. This pain might shoot into your arm or leg when you cough, sneeze or move into certain positions.

  • Sharp or burning Pain
  • Numbness or tingling:
    • People who have a herniated disk often have radiating numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.
  • Weakness:
    • Muscles served by the affected nerves tend to weaken. This can cause you to stumble, or affect your ability to lift or hold items.

MayoClinic

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

This condition has been associated with:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Herniated Disc in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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