The symptoms of herniated disc vary widely based upon severity, location on the spine and a patient’s tolerance for pain. Some patients experience no pain if the herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve. For others, symptoms include:

• Pain that worsens with lifting, bending, standing or sitting.
• Muscle weakness the legs
• Unsteadiness or stumbling when walking
• Numbness or tingling in legs
• Loss of bowel or bladder function
• Spasm of the back muscles

Typically, injury or a single distinct incident leads to a herniated or ruptured disc, but the single movement may be years in the making. As we age, the discs in our spine lose water and elasticity, which can lead to a rupture, often from a simple twisting of the spine or other minor strain. Typically, a herniated disc is preceded by a long period of low back pain. In addition, the following can contribute to herniated discs:

• Repeated strenuous activity
• Smoking, which can lead to artheroscelorosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Lifting heavy objects incorrectly by bending at the waist instead of in the legs
• Family history
• Carrying excessive body weight, which strains the lower back and its discs

Most herniated disc patients do not require surgery and the condition is resolved through conservative measures. The physicians at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush may prescribe these treatments in combination or individually, depending on the particular case, to ease irritation of the nerve and alleviate pain:

• Reduced activity
• Physical therapy
• Exercise
• Weight control
• Pain medication, including non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs)
• Muscle relaxants
• Lumbrosacral back support
• Steroid injections or “nerve blocks”

If conservative treatments fail to provide adequate pain relief or a patient continues to suffer from loss of function, especially nerve damage, Dr. Singh may recommend spinal surgery to repair the herniated or bulging disc in the lower back. Recent studies by the National Institute of Health show that surgical intervention leads to improved clinical outcomes when compared to non-surgical treatments for herniated lumbar discs.