Signs your back pain is due to a herniated disc

10 Aug Signs your back pain is due to a herniated disc

Several causes could lead to back pain, from sore muscles to arthritis. One such cause for chronic back pain is be a herniated lumbar disc.

Herniated Discs

With age, the intervertebral discs in your back can lose their water content, and become drier. This further makes them more vulnerable to tears.

While anyone may suffer a back injury, as the discs become drier with age, the back becomes more susceptible to injury. A disc may herniate due to trauma, such as a car accident, but it is more likely to be caused due to degeneration.

Certain risk factors further increase the likelihood of back pain, for example, being overweight.

• Patients who are overweight may be experiencing more pressure on their spine. This pressure can also cause injury.
• Another risk factor is smoking. Smoking deprives the body of its oxygen supply which makes the discs break down quicker than normal.
• Repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing, bending sideways, and twisting can also increase your risk of a herniated disk. Such repetitive motions make it more likely for discs to undergo wear and tear.
• Some patients are genetically more predisposed to suffering from a herniated disc.

Signs you have a herniated disc

Here are some of the most commonly experienced symptoms for patients who have a herniated disc.

• Lower back pain

Consistent lower back pain may be a sign of a herniated disc.

• Leg pain

Unexplainable pain in your legs could be a sign of an issue with the spine, especially if often found in combination with back pain.

• Pain in many locations

If your pain that is changing locations, this could be a sign of a herniated disc. Pain in your back, legs, and alternating between locations may be a sign of a herniated disc.

• Numbness in legs

A herniated disc can cause a person to experience leg pain and the legs or feet to go numb.

• Sharp pain

A herniated disc can cause chronic pain along with sharp pains in the back or legs.

• Foot drop

Foot drop is a common in patients with a herniated disc. While walking, when it suddenly became hard to lift your foot, it is referred to as a foot drop.