You might not expect back pain to strike. It can happen when you’re sitting in front of the TV and then you get up to try and stand. Your lower back feels numb. Do you think you might have a herniated, slipped or slipped disc? You might. 24 bones make up the adult spine. Some of the vertebrae can be cushioned with soft discs made from a jelly-like substance. These discs make it possible to turn your spine and bend over. A disc that is between two vertebrae can slip out of position and cause extreme pain. This condition is known as a slipped or ruptured disc.
Signs of An Herniated Disc
One sign is where the pain is. Though herniated spines can occur anywhere on your spine they are most common in the lower half of your backbone, called the lumbar spine. This is located just above your hips. The pain could radiate from your back to your buttocks or thighs and even to your calves.
The pain from a herniated spinal disc can be worse when you’re active, but it’s usually less when you’re relaxing. Your symptoms can be aggravated by sitting, coughing, and sneezing. They put pressure on the nerves. The sensation of tingling, or numbness that can result from a herniated nerve can also be caused by a herniated spinal disc. It is possible for the affected side of your back to feel weak. Age also plays a part. As you age, your discs start to wear down and lose their cushioning. It is much more common for a disc to become herniated.
Diagnosis Herniated Disc
Visit your doctor to find out if you have a herniated or bulging disc. A doctor will most likely perform a physical examination to locate the source of your pain. This is the most important test to confirm a diagnosis. Your doctor may examine your back to see if there are any painful or red spots. Your doctor might ask you to lie flat on your back and raise or move your legs in a certain way. If you feel pain, it is most likely a herniated distal.
They might also test:
- Your reflexes are at the knee or ankle
- Your leg strength
- How you walk on your heels.
- It doesn’t matter if you feel vibrations or light touches.
You may have further testing done by your doctor to rule other causes of your pain and pinpoint the nerves that are aggravated.
- X-rays. A standard X-Ray will not show if there is a herniated or bulging disc. However, it can show the doctor the outline of your spine to rule out a tumor or fracture.
- Myelogram. This test uses dye injections into your spinal fluid to detect pressure on the spinal chord.
- CT scan. CT (or CAT, scan) takes several X-Rays from different angles. They are combined to create images that show your spinal cord and all structures surrounding it.
- MRI. An MRI uses radio waves, a magnetic force, and a computer in order to create detailed 3D images. MRI images can pinpoint the location of a herniated disc, show inside the disc and identify which nerves are affected.
- Electromyograms (EMG). These tests might be performed by your doctor to assess if nerves have been damaged or compressed. The EMG test detects the tiny amount that muscle cells generate when stimulated by nerves. A needle electrode is placed in a muscle to measure its electrical activity. The needle electrode then checks for any anomalies.
- Nerve conduction tests (NCS) can often be done simultaneously with the EMG. An electrode stimulates nerves with small electrical impulses. The electrodes on one side detect impulses from the other. You can tell if there has been nerve damage by how long it takes for electrical impulses to travel from electrodes.
What is the difference between MRI, CT Scan and Xray? Which Is Better for Herniated Disc?
Are MRI, CT scan and x-rays required to diagnose a herniated disc in my neck? What imaging option is best for a herniated cervical Disc? What is the difference in MRI, CT and xray scans for a herniated cervical disc?
Dr. Seth Neubardt (cerebral spine surgical expert) explains that the x-ray is used to inspect the bones in the neck, but cannot reveal a herniated spinal disc. The MRI or CT scan will show the disc. If you are experiencing persistent neck pain that radiates down the arm, or tingling or weakness in your arms, a CT scan or MRI is recommended.
A cervical x-ray or neck scan can reveal fractures, tumors or arthritis. CT scans are also used to view bones. Although they use x-rays and take thin slices of the bone, they provide more detail than a standard x-ray. The CT scan can be used to confirm fractures. No. The CT scan is better than the MRI when diagnosing a herniated or bulging disc. The MRI scan is more useful for assessing the soft tissue of the spine and neck.
Usually, MRIs will not be performed if symptoms have been present for at least two weeks. Another test less often used is the CT myelogram. This scan looks at the cervical spine. It may reveal the herniated spine in great detail.