Common Lumbar Herniated Disc Symptoms

Symptoms of a lumbar herniated disc vary from person to person. Some suffer mild to moderate pain, while others find it unbearable to live with the condition.

While you never know exactly how a lumbar herniated disc may affect you, here are some of the general symptoms that could come into play:

•    Nerve pain: This is one of the most noticeable symptoms, with nerve pain in the leg best described as sharp and radiating.
•    Leg pain: It may not make sense, but leg pain is generally worse than back pain when suffer from a lumbar herniated disc.
•    Foot drop: Depending on the severity and location of the injury, it may be difficult to lift your foot or stand on one foot. This is known as foot drop.
•    Neurological symptoms: These include but are not limited to weakness, numbness, tingling, and a feeling of pins and needles.

Yes, these are severe symptoms. And yes, they can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort. Fortunately, there are many ways — including surgery — to treat a lumbar herniated disc.

If you suspect this injury, consult with an experienced doctor who can run the tests necessary to better understand which treatment strategy has the best chance of yielding success.

Virginia Spine Specialists is an award-winning, minimally invasive spinal care practice with locations in Fredericksburg, VA and Manassas, VA. We also serve these Northern and Central Virginia locations: Haymarket, Gainesville, Culpepper, Front Royal, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Colonial Beach, Tappahannock and Lake Anna.