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Slipped Disc Symptoms

Slipped disc symptoms are caused when an intervertebral disc in the spinal column breaks open, causing disc materials to seep out and impinge on nearby nerve roots and the spinal cord. The term "slipped disc" is actually a misnomer, as the condition does not involve disc slippage, but rather the rupture or herniation of a disc.

Slipped disc symptoms can be felt within any part of the spine – from the neck to the lower back – and symptoms also can radiate to other parts of the body. Most frequently, however, symptoms emanate from the lumbar region, or lower back, because that area of the spine supports a great amount of weight and endures repeated stress daily, making it more prone to disc herniation and other degeneration through the years.

Symptoms of a slipped disc in the lower back include pain in the area of the herniated disc as well as numbness, tingling, and weakness that radiates to the buttocks, hips, legs, and feet. Similarly, a slipped disc in the neck also can produce numbness, tingling, and pain, but these symptoms typically are concentrated in the cervical area of the spine as well as the shoulders, arms, and hands. Headaches are another possible symptom of a slipped or bulging disc.

In severe slipped disc cases, patients may experience bowel or bladder dysfunction, which indicates a life-threatening medical emergency called cauda equina syndrome that must be treated immediately.

Slipped disc symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a number of other back and neck conditions, so in order to ensure the most successful slipped disc treatment, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis. Your physician can diagnose your condition by conducting a physical examination and exploring your complete medical history. An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be necessary in order to rule out other conditions.

In most cases, slipped disc symptoms are treatable using conservative therapies, such as exercise, activity modification, ice and heat applications, and medication. For patients who experience severe, limiting pain or symptoms that continue to worsen even after conservative treatment, slipped disc surgery may be recommended.

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There are now successful minimally invasive surgeries that take less than an hour to complete and can provide slipped disc patients with fast relief – such as the outpatient, laser-assisted procedures offered at Laser Spine Institute (LSI). Our gentle endoscopic procedures are used to effectively treat slipped disc symptoms as well as other neck and back conditions, but with drastically reduced tissue damage and recovery times compared to open back surgery. To learn how LSI’s state-of-the-art procedures can help you reclaim your life, contact us today. We can review your MRI or CT scan, absolutely free of charge.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.