Symptoms of a Herniated Disc and When to See a Doctor

A herniated disc can be very painful, causing symptoms like pain, numbness or weakness in the back, arms, neck or legs. The condition happens when the spinal disc pushes through a crack in the outer layer, aggravating the nerves around it. The exact symptoms will depend on where the herniation is and how severe it is, but it is important to see a doctor when you have persistent pain that affects your everyday life. 

Approximately 80% of the U.S. population will have an episode of lower back pain at least once in their life. In this article, we’ll discuss how to know if you have a herniated disc, when to see a doctor and treatment options that can provide relief.   

Signs and Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

Common signs and symptoms of a herniated disc include pain, numbness, tingling and muscle weakness in the area affected by the herniation — typically the back, arms, neck or legs. A herniated disc can be caused by lifting heavy objects or twisting and turning while lifting. Symptoms can sometimes make it challenging to bend, walk or stand without experiencing pain. 

Certain symptoms can distinguish a herniated disc from other injuries. These include:

• Radiating pain: Herniated disc pain usually radiates along the nerve path, traveling down the leg or arm. Other back injuries, like muscle strains, only cause pain in the affected area. 
• Numbness and tingling: Herniated discs often cause numbness or tingling in the area with affected nerves. This feeling is less common in muscle strains. 
• Muscle weakness: Muscle weakness is a top sign of a herniation, especially if you have significant nerve compression. Muscle strains are more likely to cause pain and stiffness rather than weakness. 
• Sharp pain: Herniated disc pain is often described as sharp, shooting or burning. In contrast, muscle strain pain might be dull or achy. 

Rest and over-the-counter medications can sometimes alleviate herniated disc pain. If you experience emergency symptoms like a loss of bladder or bowel control or severe weakness, seek emergency help right away. 

When to See a Doctor for a Herniated Disc

See a doctor for a herniated disc if:

• You have persistent pain that can’t be alleviated with medication or rest.
• You have pain that affects your mobility or daily life. 
• You have emergency symptoms like sudden and severe weakness, intense pain or loss of bladder or bowel control.

When nerve compression is treated early, there’s a much higher chance of a full recovery. Waiting too long to address nerve pain can result in long-term nerve damage, so it’s always a good idea to seek advice from a specialist if the symptoms become severe or persistent.

Diagnosing a Herniated Disc

To diagnose a herniated disc, your doctor will take a full medical history and perform a physical examination. They’ll usually analyze your neck movements to find the sources of the pain and any related injured tissues.

Advanced imaging techniques, such as X-rays, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests and MRI myelogram or CT scans can also confirm if you have a herniated disc. 

Treatment Options and Long-Term Outcomes 

Treatment options for a herniated disc can include conversation ones like medication and physical therapy or surgical options if your condition is severe. 

Nonsurgical Treatments

Depending on the severity of your herniated disc, many treatments, like physical therapy or medications, can provide effective, lasting relief without surgery: 

• Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen may help with herniated disc pain.
• Rest: Getting adequate rest may ease herniated disc symptoms and allow the body to start healing. Make sure you take plenty of rest after the first one to two days you notice symptoms.  
• Ice or heat compression: Using ice or heat, or alternating between them, can manage pain and inflammation for a herniated disc. Ice is usually recommended to reduce initial swelling and inflammation, while heat can relax muscles and increase blood flow after that. 
• Injections: Epidural steroid injections around the affected nerve can reduce inflammation and pain.
• Massage: Manual therapy, like massage, can relieve muscle tension and improve your range of motion.
• Physical therapy: Exercises that strengthen your back muscles and improve posture can reduce pressure on the nerves and offer relief from a herniated disc. 

Surgical Options

If your pain doesn’t respond to any of the nonsurgical measures, your doctor might recommend surgery. Highly advanced surgical techniques like anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), as well as posterior cervical discectomy, show promising results. Discectomy can be performed with minimally invasive techniques using a small incision for the operation, which usually leads to less scarring and a faster recovery. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

The following are answers to common questions we receive about herniated discs. 

1. How Do You Know if You Have a Herniated Disc? 

A medical professional can tell you if you have a herniated disc, but you can also look for signs like radiating pain that travels from your back to your legs or feet, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling.  

2. What’s the Best Treatment for a Herniated Disc? 

The best treatment for a herniated disc will depend on your specific symptoms and medical history. Rest and pain medication can help with symptoms, but you will need to see a doctor to discuss other treatments, like physical therapy or surgery, if symptoms are severe and interfere with your daily life. 

3. What Doctor Should You See for a Herniated Disc?

While your family doctor may refer you to a specialist, if your herniated disc pain is severe and is progressing quickly, you’ll want to see an orthopedic specialist as soon as you can. These specialists have everything under one roof — a clinic, modern CT and MRI scanners and treatment centers on-site. They can diagnose your condition and determine what’s causing your pain, recommending a treatment plan for your exact symptoms.  

Why Trust Us? 

Fondren Orthopedic Group is Houston’s largest and the nation’s third-largest private orthopedic practice, led by physicians, not corporations. Our board-certified, sub-specialized experts offer personalized care and can help address your herniated disc pain so you can feel better and get back to your daily life. We have over 50 years of experience providing patients with unparalleled comfort and convenience.

Our patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach includes conservative options, biological treatments and advanced surgical solutions. Read our testimonials to get an idea of the positive difference our treatments can make in your life. 

Take Action for Your Health — Get Expert Evaluation for Herniated Disc at Fondren

If you’re experiencing persistent back or neck pain, radiating pain, numbness or muscle weakness, you may have a herniated disc. Seeing a doctor is critical in alleviating your pain so you can get back to your everyday routine. At Fondren Orthopedic Group, our board-certified specialists offer comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans to get you back to feeling your best. 

As Houston’s largest private orthopedic practice, we provide convenient access to advanced diagnostics and a full range of herniated disc treatment options, from conservative care to cutting-edge surgical solutions. Schedule your appointment with us online today.