Is it possible that the symptoms are not interpreted as a slipped disc? | Is there a slipped disc even without pain?

Is it possible that the symptoms are not interpreted as a slipped disc?

The patient himself thinks probably in the fewest cases directly of a herniated disc, but rather of the fact that one has just lifted, since herniated discs are often accompanied by back pain, for which just as well also muscular causes could be responsible. In most cases, the affected persons assume that if they do not have paralysis symptoms, the pain symptoms will certainly regulate themselves again in some time. Only the simultaneous occurrence of neurological abnormalities (such as tingling paresthesias or paralysis) makes most people think of a herniated disc. In addition, there are a lot of differential diagnoses to a herniated disc, which partially cause similar symptoms. For example, peripheral arterial occlusive disease can also cause numbness in the legs, or hip joint arthrosis can produce pain that radiates into the leg.

What can all indicate a slipped disc without symptoms?

Real evidence for a herniated disc, which does not cause any symptoms, is almost non-existent in everyday life, which is why it is usually a random finding in other examinations. There are, however, some neurological provocation tests that could possibly trigger symptoms. For example, bending the entire leg in a supine position causes the spinal cord to be stretched more, possibly pressing against the protruding disc nucleus.

This could cause pain in the corresponding dermatome, but does not have to. Furthermore, the occurrence of pain during heavy physical work – which mainly affects the back – could be a warning signal.Depending on the position of the spinal column, it is possible that the core of the intervertebral disc is increasingly pressed towards the spinal cord, causing symptoms. Do you have more interest in this?

Only tingling, no pain

As described above, a nerve has a wide variety of pathways within the body. The physician speaks of different fiber qualities of a nerve. It can happen that only a certain fiber quality of a nerve is damaged, but the others are not affected by this damage.

This explains why, for example, only disturbed sensations, the so-called tingling paresthesias, occur, but not pain in the affected regions. The tingling sensation can be explained by the fact that fiber webs that “transport” information from the tactile corpuscles of the skin have been damaged, so that this particular flow of information is disturbed. You can read more interesting information on this topic: Tingling when a slipped disc