What causes a disc to rupture or herniate?
Some of the most common causes are: • A sudden strain of the back from twisting or lifting • Repeated straining of the back • A fall or accident • Degeneration of the disc from aging or genetic predisposition • Spontaneous herniation can occur without any specific injury Symptoms of a herniated disc: may begin suddenly or gradually and may include: • sudden aching or sharp shooting pain in the back or neck, • being unable to straighten the back without extreme pain • sharp shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs • bladder problems A doctor can often diagnose a herniated disc by a physical examination that tests sensation, muscle strength, and reflexes but to determine the degree of herniation high tech diagnostic tests are needed. Treatment of a Herniated Disc Conservative treatment may relieve most cases of herniated disc pain allowing the body to heal over time.Acute pain from a herniated disk should go away within a few weeks, but some pain may remain for