[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.nu-spine.com\/blog\/how-can-you-tell-if-you-have-a-herniated-disc\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.nu-spine.com\/blog\/how-can-you-tell-if-you-have-a-herniated-disc\/","headline":"How Can You Tell If You Have a Herniated Disc?","name":"How Can You Tell If You Have a Herniated Disc?","description":"A herniated disc can be a tricky back problem to diagnose because not every patient will experience symptoms \u2014 sometimes, a person has no symptoms at all. At NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute, located in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel, NJ, our team of specialists can diagnose a herniated disc […]","datePublished":"2024-03-06","dateModified":"2025-04-22","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.nu-spine.com\/blog\/author\/seoaccounts\/#Person","name":"Dr. Branko Skovrlj, MD","url":"https:\/\/www.nu-spine.com\/blog\/author\/seoaccounts\/","identifier":11,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/new.nu-spine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/logo.png","url":"https:\/\/new.nu-spine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.nu-spine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Woman-holding-lower-back.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.nu-spine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Woman-holding-lower-back.jpg","height":836,"width":1254},"url":"https:\/\/www.nu-spine.com\/blog\/how-can-you-tell-if-you-have-a-herniated-disc\/","about":["Neck \/ Cervical"],"wordCount":935,"articleBody":"A herniated disc can be a tricky back problem to diagnose because not every patient will experience symptoms \u2014 sometimes, a person has no symptoms at all. At NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute, located in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel, NJ, our team of specialists can diagnose a herniated disc and come up with a treatment plan that is right for the patient\u2019s back pain. Here, we discuss herniated disc symptoms, causes, and treatment options.What Is a Herniated Disc?The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae, which are cushioned by discs. Think of the discs as round pillows filled with a jelly-like substance that protects the spine. When the jelly-like substance is pushed out from the disc, that is called a herniated disc. It also can be called a slipped disc, bulging disc, or ruptured disc.Depending on where the disc is located in the spine, it will be referred to as a:Lumbar herniated disc: This is a condition that affects the lower backThoracic herniated disc: This refers to ruptured discs in the middle backCervical herniated disc: This includes ruptures to the upper back and neckHerniated discs most often occur in the lower (or lumbar) back, but cervical herniated discs are common, as well.Herniated Disc SymptomsSome patients feel no pain from a herniated disc and can be unaware of the injury to their spine. However, lower back pain is the most common symptom of a herniated disc, and the pain may only last a few days and then improve.Other symptoms of a herniated disc are:Sciatica: This is a sharp, often shooting pain that extends from the buttocks down the back of one leg and is caused by pressure on the spinal nerve.Numbness or tingling: This sensation can appear in the leg or foot.Weakness: Similar to numbness, patients typically feel this sensation in the leg or foot.Loss of bladder or bowel control: This is extremely rare and may indicate a more serious problem called cauda equina syndrome. This condition is caused by spinal nerve root compression.If a patient cannot escape the symptoms of a herniated disc, Branko Skovrlj, MD,\u00a0of NU-Spine can offer a free MRI review. Whether a patient is looking for a diagnosis, a second opinion, or a treatment recommendation, NU-Spine\u2019s team of board-certified neurosurgeons are some of the best in the country. We will work with the patient to produce a comprehensive treatment plan to alleviate the pain of a herniated disc.What Causes a Herniated Disc?A herniated disc is most likely to happen as people age, and the disc material naturally wears down. However, an injury or excessive strain also can cause a disc to rupture. Middle-aged and older males are more susceptible to a herniated disc, usually after strenuous activity. Other cases of a herniated disc can stem from:Lifting heavy objectsBeing overweightRepetitive bending or twisting of the lower backSitting or standing in the same position for long hoursInactive lifestyleSmokingTreatment for a Herniated DiscPatients who have been diagnosed with a herniated disc often can treat their pain at home and without surgery. Pain associated with a herniated disc often goes away on its own within a day or two. Other at-home treatments for a herniated disc include:RestAlternating between icing and heating the painful areaTaking over-the-counter pain relief medicationPhysical therapySteroid injectionsIf at-home treatments are not working to relieve a patient\u2019s back pain, the medical team at NU-Spine may recommend a surgical procedure, which could include:Laminectomy: A form of decompression surgery, a laminectomy is when a neurosurgeon removes the lamina, the part of the vertebrae that covers and protects the spinal column.Microdiscectomy: This minimally invasive procedure is a type of lumbar decompression surgery, which may be done to remove fragments of a ruptured disc that are pressing on a nerve.Spinal fusion: This procedure connects two or more vertebrae and may be completed to stabilize the spine after a laminectomy.Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF): This type of spinal fusion removes an intervertebral disc and joins two or more vertebrae together.Patients experiencing back pain need to see a specialist, like Dr. Skovrlj and his team at NU-Spine, to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to treat their spine pain effectively.Cutting-Edge Technology to Treat Herniated DiscsNU-Spine specializes\u00a0in minimally invasive spine surgery\u00a0for patients who require surgery to treat a herniated disc. A minimally invasive procedure uses a small incision, typically about two centimeters in length, where a microscope, camera, and precision tools are inserted into the target area.The main benefits of a minimally invasive procedure include eliminating the need to cut through muscle and tissue and reducing the patient\u2019s recovery time. Other benefits are:Quicker resultsLess blood lossDecreased muscle and nerve damageLimited bruisingLower risksIn many cases, a patient can go home the same day as the surgery to begin their recovery process in the comfort of their own home.Herniated Disc Relief Is Available at NU-SpinePatients dealing with herniated disc symptoms and looking for relief should contact the medical team at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Dr. Skovrlj focuses on complex spine procedures to provide patients with back pain relief. He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, which helps patients get on with their lives \u2014 pain-free!If you are seeking treatment for a herniated disc, contact NU-Spine today. We have locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel, NJ."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.nu-spine.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Can You Tell If You Have a Herniated Disc?","item":"https:\/\/www.nu-spine.com\/blog\/how-can-you-tell-if-you-have-a-herniated-disc\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]