bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Herniated Disk
Symptoms of Herniated Disk
Often, herniated disks, even ones that appear obviously bulging or herniated on imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), cause no symptoms. Herniated disks that do not cause symptoms are more common as people age. However, herniated disks may cause slight to debilitating pain. Movement often intensifies the pain, and the pain is worsened by coughing, sneezing, straining, or leaning forward. Where the pain occurs depends on which disk is herniated and which spinal nerve root is affected. The pain may be felt along the pathway of the nerve compressed by the herniated disk. For example, a herniated disk in the low back commonly causes Sciatica —pain along the sciatic nerve, down the back of the leg. A herniated disk in the neck causes neck pain that often extends down the arm, sometimes to the hand. Pain that starts in one place but travels to another, usually along the path of a nerve, is called A herniated disk can also cause numbness and muscle weakness. If pressure on the nerve root is great, a leg may be paralyzed. Rarely, the disk can put pressure on the spinal cord itself, possibly causing weakness or paralysis of both legs. If the Cauda Equina Syndrome (the bundle of nerves extending from the bottom of the cord in the lower back) is affected, control of bladder and bowels can be lost. If these serious symptoms develop, medical attention is required immediately. 