Localized pain around the area of the bulging disc.Pain that radiates through the arms or legs.Some of the most common bulging disc symptoms include: When the bulging disc does cause a pinched nerve, however, you may begin to experience symptoms. As long as the bulging portion of the disc does not press against a nearby nerve, no symptoms occur. Both bulging and herniated discs usually remain asymptomatic however, they can cause discomfort and disability in various parts of the body if the disc compresses an adjacent nerve root or the spinal cord.īecause a bulging disc does not always trigger obvious symptoms, many people have a bulging disc without realizing it. If left untreated, the bulging disc can continue to stretch until it tears, which is classified as a herniated disc. Pressure from the inner core of the disc can then stretch to the outer rim, causing the disc to “bulge” outward in one direction. The outer fibrous portion of our discs can weaken due to factors such as daily wear and tear, sudden injury, and the body’s natural aging process. These discs feature a tough, fibrous shell and a soft, gel-like core. The spine is made up of small, round bones (vertebrae) that are cushioned by shock-absorbing discs. These other causes must be ruled out to reach the correct diagnosis and begin treatment.Bulging discs, also known as disc protrusions, are a very common occurrence in people of all ages. The reason for the lack of symptoms is not clear, but some medical professionals speculate that disc herniation is even more widespread than commonly thought and often a natural part of aging.Ī major challenge in diagnosing a lumbar herniated disc is the need to distinguish the condition from other causes. Systematic Literature Review of Imaging Features of Spinal Degeneration in Asymptomatic Populations. AJNR American journal of neuroradiology. In some cases, an MRI scan may show an advanced lumbar herniated disc, but the person has no pain or other symptoms.Ģ Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, et al. Imaging tests alone cannot diagnose a herniated disc. Electromyography (EMG) can pinpoint which nerve root is impacted.See Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan with Myelogram This can show both the size and location of a herniation, but is invasive. CT myelogram is a computed tomography scan using contrast dye in the spinal fluid, with X-rays to view the dye.X-rays are not typically used on their own to diagnose a herniated disc. X-rays are mainly used to rule out problems such as a broken bone, bone abnormalities, infection, tumor, or problems with the alignment of the spine.CT (computed tomography) scan is more likely if there is a reason an MRI is not advised.It can show where the herniated disc is and how it is impinging on the nerve root. Often, an MRI scan is ordered to aid surgical planning. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) usually provides the most accurate assessment of the lumbar spine area, showing where a herniation has occurred and which nerves are affected.These are the typical imaging tests used to detect a herniate disc: Imaging tests may be included at the initial visit to rule out other possible causes of the patient's symptoms such as a fracture, tumor, infection, or caudal equina syndrome. The doctor will observe whether the patient appears to be walking slowly due to pain, or with an abnormal gait. See Osteomyelitis, a Spinal Infection Gait monitoring Vital signs checkĪn increase in pulse rate or blood pressure can be an indication of pain, and an elevated temperature may be a sign of infection. The effect of age on result of straight leg raising test in patients suffering lumbar disc herniation and sciatica. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences : The Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Some of the medical literature has found the straight-leg-raise test is not as helpful for indicating lumbar herniated discs in people older than age 60.ġ Tabesh H, Tabesh A, Fakharian E, Fazel M, Abrishamkar S. Variations on these stretches include performing the test from a seated position or while the legs are crossed. If raising the unaffected leg hurts the affected leg, it also indicates that a nerve root is impinged or irritated. If pain occurs when the leg is raised at a 30- to 70-degree angle, it is considered a sign of lumbar disc herniation. For this test, the patient lies down flat on the back and the doctor gently raises the affected leg until pain is felt. One common stretch to test for a herniated disc is the straight leg raise, or LaSegue, test.
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