Slipped disk
Description
The spinal bones are separated by disks. These disks cushion the spinal column and put space between your vertebrae. The disks allow movement between the vertebrae, so you can bend and reach.
A slipped (herniated) disk occurs when all or part of a disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. This places pressure on nearby nerves.
Other terms used to describe this problem include ruptured disk, prolapsed disk, and herniated disk.
What causes a slipped disk?
Disks may move out of place (herniate) or break open (rupture) from injury. When this happens, there may be pressure on the spinal nerves. This can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness.
Slipped disks occur more often in middle-aged and older men, usually after strenuous activity. Other risk factors include conditions that are present at birth (congenital) that affect the size of the lumbar spinal canal. This is the space where the spinal cord is located.
What does a slipped disk feel like?
There are many kinds of low back pain. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning or throbbing pain. In some cases, the pain is so severe that the person cannot move.
The symptoms most often occur on one side of the body. You may feel:
- Sharp pain in one part of the arm, leg, hip, or buttocks and numbness in the other parts
- Pain or numbness on the back of the calf or sole of the foot
- Pain that goes from your neck to your arm and hand
- Weakness in the same arm or leg where you have pain or numbness
You may also stumble or trip over your foot because your calf and leg muscles are weak, or you may feel like you lose dexterity in your hands and start dropping things.
The pain often starts slowly. It may get worse:
- After standing or sitting
- At night
- When sneezing, coughing, or laughing
- When bending backward or walking more than a few yards
You may also have weakness in certain muscles. Sometimes, you may not notice it until your doctor examines you. Or, you may notice that you have a hard time standing on your tiptoes on one of your feet, or you may notice other problems.
Problems controlling your bladder or bowel are serious signs. If you have either of these, see your doctor right away.
What does a slipped disk feel like?
The first treatment for a slipped disk is a short period of rest and medicine for the pain. You may want to reduce your activity for the first couple of days. Then, slowly restart your usual everyday activities. After 2 to 3 weeks, slowly begin to do exercises that will not injure your back. But avoid heavy lifting or twisting your back for the first 6 weeks after your pain began.
Most people who follow these treatments will recover and be able to return to their normal activities. The pain, numbness, or weakness will often go away or continue to improve over a period of weeks to months.
If recovery is slow, physical therapy may help. A small number of people will need to have more treatment, which may include steroid injections into the painful area or surgery (diskectomy).
It may take several months to a year or more to go back to all of your activities without having pain or neck and back strain. People who have jobs that involve heavy lifting or back strain may need to change their job activities to avoid injuring their back again.
It's also important to learn to take care of your neck and back at home and using proper lifting techniques to prevent your back pain from returning.
For more information, ask your health care provider which treatment options are best for you.
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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