Conditions
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Clinical information and resources for Stryker Interventional Spine products
Herniated Disc
Disc Herniation
Nearly 10 million men and women suffer from lower back and leg pain caused by a herniated or ruptured disc.[1][2][3][4] Herniated discs are painful and may leave you feeling helpless and unable to do everyday activities.
Herniated discYour backbone is actually a stack of more than 30 bones called vertebrae. Between them are small, spongy discs that act as “shock absorbers” by preventing the vertebrae from colliding with each other when you move and keeping your spine flexible. When one of the discs is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc, which may also referred to as a ruptured or slipped disc.
When a herniated disc pinches one of the 50 nerves that come out of the spinal cord, it can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. The sciatic nerve, which runs from your spinal cord to your leg, is most likely to be affected.[5] Compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve causes a sharp, shooting pain in the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the leg. This is called sciatica, and it is the most common symptom of a lower back herniation.[6]
Leg Pain Symptoms
- Usually occurs in only one leg
- May start suddenly or gradually
- May be constant or may come and go
- May get worse when sneezing, coughing, or straining during bowel movements
- May be aggravated by sitting, prolonged standing, and bending or twisting
Nerve-related Symptoms
- Tingling (“pins-and-needles” sensation) or numbness in one leg
- Weakness in one or both legs
- Pain in the front of the thigh
