Lumbar Herniated Disc: What You Should Know

Spinal discs play a crucial role in the lower back, serving as shock absorbers between the vertebrae, supporting the upper body, and allowing a wide range of movement in all directions.

If a disc herniates and leaks some of its inner material, though, the disc can quickly go from easing daily life to aggravating a nerve, triggering back pain and possibly pain and nerve symptoms down the leg.

See What’s a Herniated Disc, Pinched Nerve, Bulging Disc…?

Disc herniation symptoms usually start for no apparent reason. Or they may occur when a person lifts something heavy and/or twists the lower back, motions that put added stress on the discs.

Lumbar herniated discs are a widespread medical problem, most often affecting people age 35 to 50.

This article covers how a lumbar herniated disc develops, how it is diagnosed, and the available surgical and non-surgical treatment options.