Understanding Spinal Disk Problems -- Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Disk Problems?
If symptoms do occur, it will depend on the location of the disk problem in the spine. Usually the disks of the neck (cervical) or lower back (lumbar) are the most commonly affected. When the disk puts pressure on the spinal nerves, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Sharp pain in the back, sometimes going down the back of one or both legs; the pain can start immediately during exertion or injury, or shortly afterward.
- Inability to bend or straighten your back, accompanied by severe pain
- Gradual development of neck or lower back pain, possibly intense upon arising or when sneezing or coughing
- Numbness or tingling in your arm or leg
- Progressive loss of strength in one or both arms and legs
Cauda Equina Syndrome Overview
Low back pain is very common. It affects millions of people. In most cases, you don't need surgery for low back pain. But in rare cases, severe back pain can be a sign of cauda equina syndrome (CES), a condition that usually requires urgent surgical treatment. People with cauda equina syndrome often are admitted to a hospital as a medical emergency. Here's what you need to know about cauda equina syndrome.
Read the Cauda Equina Syndrome Overview article > >
Call Your Doctor About Back Pain If:
- You experience persistent pain in the upper or lower back
- Back pain is accompanied by fever; you may have a viral or bacterial infection.
- You have a sudden loss of feeling or weakness in your extremities or loss of bowel or bladder control; you may have an injury to your spinal cord.
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