musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Lumbar Herniated Nucleus Pulposus
Symptoms and Signs of Lumbar Herniated Nucleus Pulposus
Herniated disks often cause no symptoms, or they may cause symptoms and signs in the distribution of affected nerve roots. Pain usually develops suddenly, and back pain is typically relieved by rest and activity modification. In contrast, nerve root pain caused by an epidural tumor or abscess begins more insidiously, and back pain is worse at night while in bed. Cauda equina compression often results in urine retention or incontinence due to loss of sphincter function. In patients with lumbosacral herniation, coughing, sneezing, and activities such as sitting and bending forward increase the pain. 