01 — What it is
A spinal disc has a tough outer ring and a soft inner core. When the ring tears, the core can push outward and press on a nerve root or the spinal cord. Symptoms are often felt less in the spine itself than along the path of the nerve involved, which is why arm or leg pain can be the main complaint.
02 — Symptoms
- Pain radiating into an arm or a leg
- Numbness or tingling in a specific area
- Weakness in a muscle group
- Pain that worsens with coughing, sneezing or sitting
03 — Causes
- Age-related changes in the disc
- A lifting or twisting injury
- Repetitive loading from work or sport
- Individual predisposition to earlier disc degeneration
04 — How it is diagnosed
Examination is used to relate the weakness and sensory change to a particular nerve root. MRI shows which disc is involved and whether the nerve is being compressed. Imaging findings are interpreted alongside the examination rather than on their own.
05 — Treatment approach
Many disc herniations improve without surgery, and non-surgical care is generally considered first. Surgery may be discussed where weakness is progressive, where symptoms have not responded to non-surgical treatment, or where the spinal cord is compressed. Treatment is individualized.
General information only. Your own diagnosis and plan depend on your examination and imaging. Nothing here replaces a consultation.
