3 Telltale Signs You Have a Slipped or Bulging Disc

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When a disc in your lower spine bulges or tears, you may feel pain in your lower back and/or your leg. Here are 3 unique signs of a herniated or protruding disc to help you identify the underlying cause of your lower back problem:

1. Pain while sitting

An activity that exerts tremendous pressure on your lower spinal discs is sitting. If you have a herniated or bulging disc, this increase in pressure within your disc may cause the bulge to become more pronounced, which may aggravate your lower back pain when you sit.

2. Radiating pain into your leg (sciatica)

The discs in your lower back typically herniate or bulge in the posterior (back) and/or lateral (side) region, which is in close proximity to your spinal nerve roots. Herniated discs may affect these nerve roots through one or both of the following 2 methods:

  • Direct compression. When the disc’s bulge or leaking inner contents directly press on a spinal nerve root as it exits the spinal canal.
  • Chemical irritation. When a herniated disc leaks out acidic chemical irritants from the disc material, which may cause inflammation and irritation in the area around the nerve root.

The function of the affected nerve root is then altered, and you may feel a burning pain along with numbness, weakness, and/or tingling along the front and/or back of your thigh, leg, and/or foot. These symptoms are commonly referred to as sciatica. The symptoms and signs of sciatica typically affect one leg at a time.

3. Pain aggravated by specific activities

Your lower back pain and/or sciatica may worsen when you perform certain activities, such as:

  • Bending forward/down
  • Lifting a heavy object
  • Pushing or pulling a heavy object
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing

Lumbar herniated disc pain usually comes on fast. In most cases, there is no single, clear reason for the pain, such as a specific injury or traumatic event. Yet, the pain feels sudden.
This condition can be very painful, but for most people, the symptoms don’t last too long. Nearly 90% of people who experience painful lumbar disc herniation report within 6 weeks that they no longer feel the pain, even if they received no medical treatment for it.

Warning signs and when to see a doctor

Visit your doctor if you exhibit these 3 telltale signs of a herniated disc. Your doctor may recommend a combination of nonsurgical treatments, such as pain-relieving medications and a guided physical therapy program, as well as referral to an interventional pain specialist for image-guided lumbar injections—to help decrease inflammation and relieve the pain.
If you experience any difficulty in controlling your bowel and/or bladder movements, numbness in your inner thigh and genital area, and/or problems in starting urination, consult your doctor immediately. These symptoms and signs may indicate cauda equina syndrome, a serious medical emergency, which is possible with certain severe lower back disc herniations.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.
New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopaedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.
Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopaedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.
If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.