Herniated Lumbar Disc Symptoms

A herniated lumbar disc occurs when the central portion of a spinal disc in the lower back protrudes through a tear in the disc's fibrous outer covering. This causes general symptoms common to all herniated discs as well as symptoms specific to the lumbar region.

Locations

• Lumbar disc herniations most often occur in the disc between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. The second most likely disc to become herniated is the one between the fifth lumbar vertebrae and the first sacral vertebrae.

Pain

• The pain from a lumbar disc herniation usually begins in the lower back and may also affect the buttocks and thigh. It can eventually radiate down to the feet.

Sciatica

• A heriniated lumbar disc may compress branches of the sciatic nerve, causing the symptoms of sciatica. These include numbness, weakness and difficulty in controlling one leg.

Femoral Nerve

• The femoral nerve may also be compressed by a herniated lumbar disc. This causes symptoms similar to sciatica but they are more likely to affect both legs and they may also extend to the feet or hips.

General Symptoms

• A herniated disc can cause pain, weakness and tingling in areas of the body that don't appear to be related to the injury. This can occur when the disc impinges upon a nearby nerve that actually serves a distant part of the body.