Herniated Disc Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Pain—how severe the pain is depends on which disc is herniated and how large the herniation is
  • Pain may spread over the buttocks, down the back of one thigh, and into the calf
  • Pain may be in one leg (more common) or both legs
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms
• In severe cases, inability to find comfort even lying down
• Sudden aching or twisted neck that cannot be straightened without severe pain
• Cauda equina syndrome—involves bowel or bladder changes and/or numbness in the groin
  • Note: This is an emergency, Call 911

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your spine will be examined. The doctor will test the movement, strength, and reflexes of the arms and legs.

Tests may include:

• X-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones
• CT scan — a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body
• MRI —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body and allows both the bones and the disc to be seen
• Diskography —a test that involves injecting a dye into the center of the disc and then taking an x-ray, which may show the dye leaking out
• Electrodiagnostic testing —a test that measures the electrical activity of muscle by placing needle electrodes into the muscle
• Myelography —a type of x-ray that uses dye injected in the space around the spinal cord to more clearly outline the space containing the spinal cord and nerves, can show any disc herniation