Herniated Disc — Lumbar
A herniated disc in the lower back presses on the nerves that run into your legs. This is one of the most common causes of sciatica.
Also Called: Slipped disc, ruptured disc, bulging disc, disc protrusion, disc extrusion. These describe stages of the same problem. As the outer wall weakens, the disc can bulge, then protrude, then tear open enough for the inner material to escape. In everyday use, including among doctors, the words are often interchangeable.
What It Is
Each disc has a tough outer ring around a soft center, like a jelly donut between two bones. When the outer ring weakens or tears, the soft center pushes out or squeezes through. That is a herniated disc. In the lower back it often presses on a nerve root heading into the leg. The pressure and the inflammation it causes produce the leg pain most people call sciatica.
Causes & Risk Factors
Discs lose water and flexibility with age, which makes the outer ring easier to tear. A lift, twist, or bend is often the trigger people remember, though the disc was usually weak before that moment. Smoking speeds up disc degeneration. Repetitive heavy lifting, a sedentary lifestyle, and genetics all play a part.
Symptoms
- Sharp, electric, or burning pain down one leg
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Weakness in the leg or foot
- Some patients also have significant back pain; others feel it almost entirely in the leg
There's no single right treatment for Herniated Disc — Lumbar. The best plan depends on your imaging, your history, and your exam. The next step is a conversation about your specific case.
Dr. Hirsch is board-certified and Yale-trained. Read his full background.