Disc Herniation

Lumbar Disc Herniation

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

The lumbar spine consists of the five vertebrae in the lower part of the spine, each separated by a disc, also called a lumbar disc. The discs in this part of the spine can be injured by certain movements, bad posture, being overweight and disc dehydration that occurs with age. Although the lumbar vertebrae are the biggest and strongest of the spinal bones, risk of lumbar injury increases with each vertebrae down the spinal column because this part of the back has to support more weight and stress than the upper spinal bones. The lumbar disc is the most frequent site of injury in several sports including gymnastics, weightlifting, swimming and golf, although athletes in general have a reduced risk of disc herniation and back problems.

Symptoms of disc herniation in the lower back are slightly different from symptoms in the cervical or thoracic parts of the spine. The spinal cord ends near the top lumbar vertebrae but the lumbar and sacral nerve roots continue through these spinal bones. A lumbar disc herniation may cause:

• Lower back pain
• Pain, weakness or tingling in the legs, buttocks and feet
• Difficulty moving your lower back
• Problems with bowel, bladder or erectile function, in severe cases

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007