If the hernia is minimal or does not press on a nerve, you may not have any symptoms. Dr. Anand says that many people live with some degree of hernia.
For those who suffer from herniated discs that actually compress the nerves, the pain can be intense and incessant. It is usually felt on one side of the body and can radiate down the arm (if the disc is in the neck) or the leg (if the hernia is lumbar; sciatica is an example).
Other signs and symptoms of a herniated disc include:
Dull pain on one side of the body
Pain when coughing, sneezing, or moving in certain positions
Numbness, tingling, or burning sensation, usually due to compression of a nerve.
Pain that worsens when sitting, but can be relieved by standing, walking, and bending, can also worsen symptoms.
Muscle weakness or spasm, which may affect the ability to lift or hold objects
Balance problems or lameness due to weakness and/or pain
Slow reflections
Difficulty getting up from a sitting position
Inability to stay in the same position for an extended period of time
Poor posture
Loss of bowel or bladder control (which may indicate coccyx syndrome, a medical emergency)
How is herniated disc diagnosed?
To find out if you have a herniated disc, you can consult an orthopedic surgeon or a primary care physician. A herniated disc may be suspected if lower back pain is accompanied by radiating pain to the legs.
Your doctor will probably have you do the "straight leg raise test". While lying down, you will lift one leg upwards. If you have a herniated disc that compresses a nerve, this movement will increase compression and cause pain throughout your leg. Your doctor will also ask you if you have numbness, weakness, and slow reflexes.
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This is where diagnostic imaging tests are usually prescribed. You may need to:
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) )
This technology reveals the spinal cord, surrounding soft tissues, and nerves. It is the best imaging test to support the diagnosis of herniated discs.
MRI is the diagnostic tool of choice for herniated discs because it can show soft tissues.
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyogram (EMG)
These tests use electrical impulses that measure the amount of nerves that could be affected by the compression caused by a herniated disc. Magnetic resonance imaging (NCS) and EMG are not routine tests for the diagnosis of a herniated disc and are only used in the presence of symptoms of nerve problems, such as numbness and radiating pain. These tests are usually used only if an MRI and a physical examination are not conclusive and the doctor thinks other conditions are possible.
X-rays
They are not the imaging medium of choice because soft tissues such as discs and nerves are difficult to capture with this technology. However, they can be used as an initial tool to rule out other conditions such as bone spurs or fractures.
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