Herniated disc symptoms can sometimes be hard to define for a patient because the pain and other symptoms of a herniated disc tend to appear in regions of the body far from the spine (like in the arms, hands, and feet). These are referred to as “distal,” or “referred,” symptoms and they occur when some type of anatomical abnormality is putting pressure on, or has damaged, nerve tissue in the spinal column.

In the case of a herniated disc, pain can occur at the site of herniation due to the delicate nerve fibers found in the torn outer disc wall (annulus fibrosus), but more often than not the majority of the discomfort occurs when the extruded disc material presses on a nearby spinal nerve. This causes distress signals to be sent to the brain, which interprets them as pain that is felt along the entire path of the compressed nerve. Compression of a nerve also can disrupt or block nerve signals, which can lead to numbness, a pins-and-needles sensation, and muscle weakness.

The path of a nerve can be far-reaching – for instance, the sciatic nerve begins in the lumbar spine (lower back) but travels all the way to the toes. Therefore, compression of this nerve can cause pain and other symptoms to affect the lower back, buttocks, legs, feet, and toes.

Knowing How to Identify Herniated Disc Symptoms

While herniated disc symptoms will likely be present in the spine and the extremities, it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause of your discomfort. It’s also important that you don’t try to treat the condition yourself without any medical guidance, as improper treatments could lead to injury, a worsening of symptoms, or dangerous drug interactions. The best way you can help your doctor make a diagnosis regarding your herniated disc symptoms is to report your discomfort in as much detail as possible, noting the location, severity, and frequency of the symptoms, as well as any activities that appear to make the symptoms better or worse.

Below are symptoms that could indicate a herniated disc, but that could also mean you’re suffering from other conditions:

– Herniated disc in the cervical spine – Pain or tingling in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands and/or fingers could indicate a herniated disc, though these feelings could also be present due to a strained muscle, sprained ligament, bone spurs, spondylolisthesis, fibromyalgia, excessive stress, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, whiplash, or, in more serious cases, cancer or meningitis.

– In the thoracic spine – Discomfort surrounding the chest, rib cage, kidneys, and abdomen could indicate a herniated disc in the middle region of the back, though these symptoms could also be indicative of a strained muscle, sprained ligament, bruised or broken ribs, heartburn, high blood pressure, or, in more serious cases, pneumonia or a heart attack.

– In the lumbar spine – Lower back pain is extremely common and can manifest as localized pain or discomfort that seems to radiate down the back and legs. While you may have a herniated disc causing these symptoms, you may also be experiencing osteomyelitis, Paget’s disease, Scheuermann’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis, a fracture, bone spurs, spondylolisthesis, a strained muscle, or a sprained ligament. In extreme cases, you may be experiencing cauda equina syndrome, which is a serious medical emergency requiring immediate surgery.

Other Ways to Diagnose Symptoms of Spine Pain

When you meet with your doctor to determine whether your symptoms are due to a herniated disc or some other injury, illness, or anatomical abnormality, he or she will perform a variety of other tests, in addition to reviewing your symptoms and inquiring about your medical history. A physical exam may include manual palpation of the spine to check for areas of swelling or tenderness, and the doctor may ask you to perform various movements to check reflexes, range of motion, and flexibility. An X-ray, as well as an MRI or CT scan, may be ordered so that the doctor can get detailed images of your spinal column. This will help locate any instances of tissue or bone displacement, as would be the case with a herniated disc, fracture, bulging disc, or spondylolisthesis.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of herniated discs and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Herniated disc