Although symptoms vary from person to person, back pain is the most common symptom of a prolapsed disc. Depending on the location and size of the prolapsed disc, or slipped disc, a person can have severe pain or can be completely asymptomatic. If pain is involved, it typically comes on suddenly.
The pain may be isolated in the back but, in the case of nerve root pain known as sciatica, pain runs down the leg, sometimes as far as the calf. The two sciatic nerves are made up of smaller nerves that originate from the spinal cord. Each sciatic nerve runs down a leg, which is why nerve pressure from a prolapsed disc can cause leg pain. People typically describe sciatica pain as being worse than the back pain. Nerve root pain may also cause a feeling of pins and needles or numbness in the leg, foot, or buttock.
When discussing symptoms with a physician, it is important for a patient to share all of his symptoms. It is important for the doctor to know if the person with the slipped disc was suffering from any injury or pain prior to the onset of this specific pain, or if there is any weakness associated with the pain. A patient also should mention to the doctor any similar problems in the past. Physicians typically order tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to make a complete diagnosis.
Although not as common, cauda equina is a rare and serious syndrome that can be caused by a prolapsed disc. Symptoms of the condition include low back pain; bladder function problems, especially the inability to pass urine; bowel problems; numbness in the anal area; and weakness in one or both legs. This syndrome occurs because the prolapsed disc is causing pressure on the bottom of the spinal cord. This pressure can cause permanent damage to the nerves of the bladder or bowel, so immediate medical attention is required.
In 90 percent of cases, the symptoms of a prolapsed disc tend to improve within several weeks. In approximately 10 percent of cases, a person requires surgery to repair the disc. Physicians prefer conservative treatment, such as treatment with ice and cold packs, heat and possibly physical therapy or massage first, but if there is no relief at all after a six-week period, surgery is an option.
