How to diagnose a lumbar disc herniation?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on April 29, 2025
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Lumbar disc herniation often occurs due to degeneration of the lumbar spine, where the nucleus of the disc protrudes through the ruptured annulus fibrosus backward, compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. This results in pain in the lower back, limited mobility of the lumbar region, and symptoms such as numbness, pain, and weakness in the lower limbs. For lumbar disc herniation, it is recommended to visit the orthopedic or spine surgery clinic of a standard hospital. Diagnosis should be confirmed with a physical examination by a doctor, along with imaging tests such as CT or MRI. These tests help determine the presence and extent of the disc herniation, and the affected segments. The treatment approach should be chosen based on the severity of the herniation.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Is a herniated lumbar disc serious?

Lumbar disc herniation is primarily due to degeneration of the lumbar disc or secondary pathological changes caused by this degeneration, which then stimulate blood vessels, nerve roots, and the spinal cord, leading to a series of clinical symptoms. Lumbar disc herniation is categorized into four types. The mildest type is the bulging type, followed by the protruding type, the more severe extrusion type, and finally the most severe, the sequestration type. Generally, lumbar disc bulging is relatively mild and conservative treatment is usually effective. Depending on the site and degree of compression, lumbar disc herniation may be treated conservatively, but some cases require surgical intervention. Most cases of disc extrusion require surgery because the extrusion leads to spinal stenosis, compressing all or part of the blood vessels, and it can also compress the spine and nerve roots, causing irreversible damage, and medications or massages can't reverse the condition. The fourth point concerns lumbar disc prolapse, meaning the nucleus pulposus falls into the spinal canal through the tear. This is one of the few emergencies seen in spinal surgery. If this occurs, immediate surgical treatment is necessary. Therefore, the severity of lumbar disc herniation mainly depends on the type and degree of the herniation, as well as the location and direction of the herniation, and which treatment method needs to be used.

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Written by Chen Hui
Orthopedic Surgery
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How to care for lumbar disc herniation

The intervertebral discs of a normal human body, according to related evidence-based medical research, begin to degenerate around the age of twenty-five. How should we maintain them in daily life? First, when lifting heavy objects in everyday life, it is necessary to do so by squatting partially and then lifting the weight with the strength of your knees and hips when standing up. Do not bend at the waist with straight knees and hips to lift heavy objects, as this can cause severe loading on the lumbar spine, leading to herniated discs. If symptoms are already present, maintenance measures include wearing a lumbar support, sleeping on a hard bed, and undergoing relevant physical therapy, among others.

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Written by Wang Fei
Orthopedics
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How to relieve stiffness in the lower back caused by lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation is very common in clinical settings. The peak incidence age is around forty, typically in middle-aged adults, though some cases occur in the elderly due to degenerative lumbar changes, bone proliferation, or osteoporosis-induced herniation. Patients with lumbar disc herniation usually experience discomfort in the lower back, muscle spasms, and sometimes numbness and soreness in the legs. If such stiffness and discomfort occur, one approach is to rest in bed. Additionally, applying heat, gentle massage, and treatments to relieve muscle spasms can be beneficial. Treatments such as acupuncture and physiotherapy can also help alleviate muscle spasms in the lumbar region, thus easing the stiffness.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of lumbar disc herniation

The symptoms of a herniated lumbar disc are 1. back pain 2. leg pain 3. both back and leg pain. The essence of a herniated lumbar disc is that, after the disc protrudes, it compresses the surrounding nerve roots or the spine, leading to a series of clinical symptoms. Depending on the area of compression, different symptoms may occur; some people experience back pain, others leg pain, and in more severe cases, both back and leg pain. Therefore, pain is the primary symptom of a herniated lumbar disc. However, following the pain, there often occurs a restriction of movement. If a certain posture is not correct, it triggers pain. In severe cases, it may cause numbness or weakness in both legs, or result in urinary or bowel dysfunction.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Is running good for lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation is due to the degeneration of the lumbar spine. It results in symptoms from the herniation pressing down on the nerve roots, or the spinal cord, through a rupture in the fibrous ring. The disc mainly serves to cushion and absorb shock in the lumbar region. During running, the load on the lumbar spine and the compression are significantly greater compared to normal walking. Running might exacerbate the condition of herniated discs. Therefore, it is not recommended to engage in running, jumping or similar activities if suffering from a disc herniation. Swimming can be a preferable form of exercise that lessens the load on the lumbar spine.