General
A herniated disc is a disease of the spine that is quite common in the population. The signs that a herniated disc is present can vary greatly. They are largely determined by the location and extent of the disease.
Depending on the height of the spinal column at which the herniated disc is present, different nerves are irritated and thus cause different symptoms at different locations. In general, the complaints are usually caused by an impairment of certain nerves and compression of the nerve roots. Depending on how strong the irritation of the nerve(s) is, different symptoms can occur. As a rule, these are mainly pain and disturbances of sensitivity perception as well as motor dysfunctions. Existing signs of a herniated disc should always be clarified by a doctor to avoid serious complications of the disease.
Symptoms of a slipped disc
In general, the signs of a herniated disc can vary greatly from individual to individual. Depending on the height of the spinal column at which the herniated disc is located, different localizations of the symptoms occur. The more the nerves are affected by individual parts of the spine, the more pronounced are typically the symptoms associated with the prolapse.
In the foreground of a herniated disc is usually severe pain. These can occur on the back itself as well as radiate into other parts of the body. Also frequent are sensitivity disorders and paraesthesia.
These can manifest themselves in numbness or tingling on the skin. The tingling sensation of the herniated disc can also radiate into different parts of the body. If the affected nerves are more severely impaired, motor dysfunctions can also occur. These can occur in the form of a reduction in the strength of certain muscles (muscle weakness) or even paralysis. Detailed information about the symptoms of a herniated disc can be found at
- Symptoms of a herniated disc
- Symptoms of a slipped disc in the leg
- Arm falls asleep
Signs of a slipped disc of the lumbar spine
Most herniated discs occur in the lumbar spine (lumbar spine). Very often the moment and the movement in which the herniated disc occurs can be remembered. Thus, sudden pain, which is directly related to an increased exertion of force and a poor posture of the back, are typical signs of a lumbar spine herniation.
Symptoms that occur with a herniated disc at this height are characteristic of nerve irritation at the level of the lumbar spine. Pain in the lower back that is difficult to isolate is typical of a lumbar spinal disc herniation. The pain also often radiates into a leg and foot.
Sensitivity disorders in both the leg and the foot indicate a herniated disc at the level of the lumbar spine. If there is a loss of motor function, especially lifting the toes is no longer possible or only possible to a limited extent. If the impairment of the nerves at the level of the herniation is particularly severe, disturbances of the sphincters of the bladder and intestine may occur.
- How do I distinguish a herniated disc from a lumbago? A herniated disc in the area of L4/L5 due to overstrain or poor posture can be diagnosed by signs such as sensitivity disorders or pain. These manifest themselves in the corresponding area supplied by the spinal nerves L4 or L5, which is called the dermatome.
If the herniated disc (prolapse) compresses the spinal nerves of L4, the sensory disturbance extends along the back of the thigh beyond the patella to the inner side of the lower leg. A further sign can be an extinguished patellar tendon reflex. Motor deficits also manifest themselves in a weakening of knee extension.
If the herniated disc in L4/5 presses on the spinal nerve L5, the sensory disturbance along the rear outer thigh across the outside of the knee and the front of the lower leg to the back of the foot and toes (1. and 2.) may be suspicious as a sign. In addition, the “tibialis posterior reflex” is typically reduced or extinguished and a typical gait pattern, the “stepper gait”, occurs due to motor deficits.
The most common location of a herniated disc is the transition area from the lumbar spine to the sacrum (lat. Os sacrum). A herniated disc in the area L5/S1 leads to typical signs, which will be explained in the following.
If the herniated disc compresses the root or the spinal nerve in the L5 segment, this is also called an L5 syndrome. Classical symptoms are both radiating pain and sensitivity disorders along the dermatome, i.e. the skin area supplied by sensitive nerve parts of the spinal nerve L5. It may therefore be indicative that affected persons feel a “strange feeling” as a sign of the sensitivity disorder along the back outer thigh, across the outside of the knee and the front of the thigh to the back of the foot and toes (1. and 2.
), as these areas correspond to the dermatome L5. In addition, a first sign may be that foot lifting is no longer possible, i.e. the so-called “heel gait” is difficult / not possible. However, this already represents a motor failure, because a peripheral nerve (N. fibularis communis), with the spinal nerve parts L4-S2 is damaged.
This is also known as “big toe lifter weakness” or “stepper gait”. In addition, the weakening or absence of the “tibialis posterior reflex” can be an indication of a herniated disc. If a so-called S1-syndrome occurs with a herniated disc, typical signs are also indicative.
On the one hand, there are sensory disturbances on the back of the upper and lower leg up to the outer (lateral) edge of the foot and the toes (3. to 5.). In comparison to the L5 syndrome, however, the “tip-toe walk” is more difficult here, since the peripheral nerve (N. tibialis) is damaged with spinal nerve components from L4-S2 and thus the motor function fails. In addition, an examination of the Achilles tendon reflex can reveal signs of a herniated disc, which in this case is extinguished or weakened. In addition to the signs explained above, severe cases of a herniated disc in L5/S1 can also lead to bladder and rectal dysfunctions, which give those affected reason to consult a doctor.
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