Lumbar Disc And Its Symptoms

A lumbar herniated disc’s symptoms vary widely — from moderate pain in the back and buttock to widespread numbness and weakness requiring prompt medical care. In the vast majority of cases, the pain eases within six weeks. But despite its short duration, the pain can be excruciating and difficult to participate in everyday activities and responsibilities. For some, the pain can become chronic and debilitating.

Common Lumbar Disc Symptoms

It is usual for a disk to press or swell the surrounding nerve, allowing pain to radiate along the nerve’s length. A lumbar disk is the most frequent source of sciatic discomfort in the leg near the sciatic nerve at the leg’s back.

These are some general characteristics of lumbar disc pain:

• Pain In Leg. Usually, leg pain is worse than low back pain. If the pain radiates through the direction of the broad sciatic nerve in the back of the knee, it is referred to as sciatic or radiculopathy.
• The Pain Of The Nerve. The most prominent signs are generally described as nerve pain in the knee, with pain described as pulling, sharp, electrical, radiating, or penetrating.
• Variable Symptom Place. Symptoms may appear in the low back, buttock, front or back of the leg, the calf, foot, and/or toes, depending on factors such as where the disc herniates and herniation degree, and usually involve only one side of the body.
• Neurological signals. The knee, foot, and/or toes can feel numbness, a pins-and-needles sensation, weakness, and/or tingling.
• Fall foot. Herniation-induced neurological signs can include difficulties raising the foot while walking or balancing on the ball of the foot, a condition known as the dropping of the foot.
• Higher pain in the shoulder. It is possible to describe this form of pain as dull or throbbing, accompanied by stiffness. Suppose the disc causes lower back muscle spasms. In that case, the discomfort can be more alleviated by a day or two of relative rest, adding ice or heat, resting in a supported recliner, or lying flat on your back with a cushion between your feet.
• A pain that aggravates with motion. Pain can accompany sustained standing or sitting, or even a short distance after walking. The discomfort can also be compounded by a joke, sneeze, or some abrupt movement.
• A pain that gets worse by hunching over. Some find that positions like slouching or hunching over in a chair or leaning over at the waist greatly worsen the shoulder’s pain.
• Rapid onset. Usually, lumbar disc pain progresses rapidly, with no identifiable activity or occurrence that caused the pain can occur.

The symptoms of a lumbar disc are normally more severe if the herniation is extensive. If the disc’s herniation does not damage a nerve, discomfort can be milder and confined to the low back.

For certain circumstances, the only symptom of a disc is low back pain or leg pain that lasts for a few days then goes down.

Relatively uncommon but dangerous Lumbar Disc Signs

Signs of an uncommon but severe cauda equina syndrome are:

• Lack of bladder or bowel function.
• Lower back pain.
• Numbness in the saddle region.
• Weakness in both legs.

This strain and nerve swelling at the end of the spinal column will, if treatment is delayed, lead to paralysis and other lifelong impairments. If these symptoms arise, emergency medical care, which may include tests and surgery, is necessary.

Location of Nerve Impingement Is Key

Symptoms of a herniated disc can differ depending on the place of the nerve, as nerve pathways are many at each level of the spine.

L3 or L4 impingement from a herniated disc may lead to an irregular reflex when the area just below the knee is rapped with the rubberized reflex hammer. This is called the patellar reflex. Pain from an L3 or L4 impingement usually radiates to the quadriceps femoris muscle at the thigh’s front. This is different from sciatica, which runs along the back of the leg.

L5 nerve impingement from a herniated disc can cause weakness in extending the big toe and potentially in the ankle, leading to difficulty with the heel-to-toe motion in walking. This weakness is called foot drop. Numbness and pain may be felt on top of the foot, and the pain may also radiate into the buttock.

S1 nerve impingement from a herniated disc may cause loss of the ankle reflex and weakness, making it difficult for patients to stand on their toes or the ball of the foot. Numbness and pain can radiate along the outside of the calf, down to the sole or outside of the foot and the toes.