So you reach down to pick something up and you feel a twinge in your back. You start to panic a little, because you remember your uncle who complained about his dreaded herniated disc, and that he was never the same again and that his life has been completely overtaken by a life of back pain. Then, a stabbing sensation hits you in the back and you think to yourself, “How do I know if I have a herniated disc?”
This is a very common question I get in my clinical practice. So let’s start with a little about lower back pain. There are many types and causes of back pain. A herniated disc is just one of them. Lower back pain is so common, and most types of back pain are not a herniated disc. It is best that if you have an episode of back pain, to contact a hands-on physiotherapist so they can do a proper assessment and get you started on a road to recovery; this is the best way to prevent chronic low back pain. A good physiotherapist would be able to diagnose your back pain and get you started on the most appropriate path to recovery.
So back to the question, ‘How do I know if I have a herniated disc?” There are some symptoms that help to separate this type of back pain from others. If you have any of the symptoms below, don’t panic! Get in touch with a good hands-on physiotherapist. Herniated discs in most cases will heal with proper treatment and advice. Over 90 percent of disc herniations do not require surgery and will resolve with proper physiotherapy. If you are asking yourself, how do I know if I have a herniated disc? Here are some symptoms that may indicate you may have a disc herniation.
How do I know if I have a herniated disc? These are some common symptoms:
Leg Pain or Foot Pain
One of the main symptoms that people complain of with a herniated disc is intense leg pain. Often, the leg pain is more intense than the back pain. If you have no leg pain, it is unlikely that the main cause of your back pain is a herniated disc. This is because when you injure a lumbar disc, the inner fluid like portion of the disc puts pressure on a nerve root which goes down the leg which usually results in intense leg pain.
Leg and Foot Numbness
Often along with leg pain numbness, or pins and needles, can be another symptom of a herniated disc. Patients will often complain of on and off numbness or constant numbness in their leg or foot.
Leg or Foot Weakness
If you are noticing significant weakness in your leg, this is a common sign of a herniated disc putting a fair amount of pressure on the nerve root. If you are experiencing weakness in your leg or foot, you should contact a physiotherapist or physician immediately so that you can get proper treatment as quickly as possible.
Unable to Sit Because of the Pain
Patients with a herniated disc will often find that when they sit down, their leg pain will intensify. This is because when you sit, you further compress the disc which puts further pressure on the nerve root further increasing the pain. If you find that your leg pain is increasing when you sit, you should make sure that you do not sit for more than 10 minutes at a time. A better way to relieve pain is to be lying down. Your goal should be to get up and move around as walking short distances is going to be better for healing than sitting.
When do I need to seek immediate medical attention?
The following symptoms are rare, however, if you experience them you should seek immediate medical attention as they indicate a very large disc herniation. It is important that if you have any bowel or bladder problems, such as not being able to control urination, you need to seek immediate medical treatment.
If you experience foot drop so significant that you cannot pick up your foot when you walk, you should also seek immediate medical attention.
This article helps to answer the question “How do I know if I have a herniated disc?” If after reading this article you are worried that you may have a disc injury, it is important to remember that most disc herniations will resolve with physiotherapy treatment. It is important to contact a good physiotherapist and get started on treatment as soon as possible so that you can get back to your regular activities as quickly as possible. If you are in Toronto and think you have symptoms of a herniated disc or are simply suffering from lower back pain call or text us at 416-660-4187 or send us an email requesting a Free 20 Minute In-person consultation. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
