Herniated Disc: Symptoms

The most common area for a herniated disc is the lumbar spine (lower back) or the cervical spine (neck).  However, herniated discs can also happen in the thoracic spine (upper back).  The symptoms of pain differ depending on the location of the herniated disc.  Pain is caused when the gel-like substance that seeps through the tough outer material presses against the nerve roots.

Vertebral discs are categorized into segments.  These are described as follows:

• Lumbar Segment 4 and 5 (L4, L5)
• Sacral Segment 1 (S1)
• Cervical Segment 4, 5, 6 and 7(C4, C5, C6, C7)
• Thoracic Segment 1 (T1)

The following symptoms will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs.  Refer to the list above for detailed information of the abbreviations.

Lumbar Herniated Disc

The most common symptom in the lumbar spine is leg pain.  This is also known as sciatica.   The lumbar herniated disc consists of lumbar segment 4 and 5 (L4-L5) and lumbar segment 5 (L5) and sacral segment 1 (S1).

Symptoms that occur when the herniated disc is located at (L4-L5) are:

• Sciatica pain (pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg)
• Weakness when raising the big toe and in the ankle
• Numbness and pain on the top of the foot

Symptoms found at (L5-S1) are:

• Weakness when standing on the toes
• Numbness and pain down into the sole of the foot
• Numbness and pain down outside of the foot

This leg pain can start suddenly or gradually and will generally occur in one leg.  The pain could be constant or could come and go.   The pain could get worse when sneezing, coughing or straining to pass stools.  This pain could be triggered by sitting, prolonged standing, or bending and twisting.

Cervical Herniated Disc

This is not as common because there is less disc material and less force across the cervical spine.

• Herniated discs located at cervical segment 4 and 5 (C4-C5) can cause weakness in the deltoid muscle in the upper arm and shoulder pain.
• Herniated discs located at C5-C6 can cause weakness in the biceps and in the wrist exterior muscles, as well as cause pain, numbness, and tingling on the thumb side of the hand.
• A herniated disc located at C6-C7 can cause weakness in the triceps and in the finger muscles, as well as pain, numbness, and tingling down the triceps and into the middle finger.
• A herniated disc found at segment 7 and thoracic 1 (C7-T1) can cause weakness when gripping with the hand, as well as pain, numbness, and tingling down the arm and into the little finger side of the hand.

Thoracic Herniated Disc

These are rare.  They are in the upper back and very rarely produce pain.  If there is pain, the symptoms will be pain in the upper back or chest area.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

This is a disease that is rare, but is very serious.   This is when there is a specific and severe type of nerve root compression.  The symptoms of this disease will be weakness in both legs and the loss of bladder and/or bowel control.   If these symptoms occur, contact a physician immediately.