can a herniated disc make your legs weak

How to know if you have a herniated disc?

These are some of the sensations that can indicate a herniated disc:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle spasms
• Tingling sensations

What does a herniated disk feel like?

You’ll never know for sure if you have a herniated cervical disk until you receive a professional diagnosis, however, there are many signs that point toward this injury. Here is what a herniated cervical disk typically feels like: · Tingling or numbness in one arm or shoulder, which typically spreads down to your fingers

What are the symptoms of a ruptured disc?

What Is a Ruptured Disc and How Is It Treated?

• Symptoms. Severe low back pain on its own may be a symptom of a ruptured disc, but it can also be caused by strains or sprains of muscles, tendons, and ...
• Causes. Normally, the rubbery discs allow the spine to flex and absorb forces on the spine when you twist, bend, or lift.
• Diagnosis. ...
• Treatment. ...
• When to consider surgery. ...
• Recovery. ...
• Outlook. ...

What are the symptoms of a herniated cervical disc?

Symptoms of a Cervical Herniated Disc

• C4-C5 (C5 nerve root): Shoulder pain and weakness in the deltoid muscle. Does not usually cause numbness or tingling.
• C5-C6 (C6 nerve root): Weakens the biceps and wrist extensor muscles. ...
• C6-C7 (C7 nerve root): Weakens the triceps and finger extensor muscles. ...
• C7-T1 (C8 nerve root): Weakness with the handgrip. ...

How long does muscle weakness last with a herniated disc?

A herniated disk may irritate or compress a nearby spinal nerve root. The result can be back pain, along with pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. For most people who develop back pain — whether it is because of a herniated disk or due to another problem — symptoms often go away within six to eight weeks.

Can herniated disc cause difficulty walking?

L5 nerve impingement (at the L4-L5 level) from a herniated disc can cause symptoms such as weakness in extending the big toe and potentially in the ankle, which leads to difficulty with the heel-to-toe motion in walking. This weakness is called foot drop.

Can L5 S1 cause leg weakness?

It may also cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thighs, legs, knees, ankles, feet, or toes. Symptoms of an L5-S1 pinched nerve include pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling, and weakness.

How can I strengthen my legs after a herniated disc?

Sit in a chair with one foot on the floor and the other extended out straight, with the heel on the floor. Straighten the back and lean forward over the extended leg until there is a stretch along the back of the upper thigh. Hold this position for 15–30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat several times.

What does a neurosurgeon do for herniated disc?

An incision is placed in the lower back over the area where the disc is herniated. Some bone from the back of the spine may be removed to gain access to the area where the disc is located. Typically, the herniated part of the disc and any extra loose pieces of disc are removed from the disc space.

What are the symptoms of L5 nerve damage?

A pinched L5 nerve root usually results in radiating pain in the foot. This pain can come in the form of numbness, tingling, weakness and shooting and is commonly felt in the big toe, inside of the foot, top of the foot and ankle. Radiculopathy of the L5 nerve may also cause loss of coordination in the foot and toes.

How serious is a L5-S1 disc herniation?

An L5-S1 disc herniation from a car accident is a very common and serious injury. It can cause permanent pain and disability. Sometimes surgery is required to prevent spinal cord damage and to alleviate chronic pain.

Why am I losing power in my legs?

Sudden leg weakness can be a cause for concern and should prompt immediate medical attention. Some causes of sudden leg weakness include stroke (due to a decrease in oxygen reaching parts of the brain), spinal cord damage, or a pinched nerve coming out of the spinal cord.

What are the symptoms of L4-L5 nerve damage?

Tingling, numbness (pins and needles), and an aching or burning sensation in the leg and on top of the foot are widespread. In severe cases, an L4-L5 slipped disc leads to weakness in the legs or feet. Some may even have an inability to walk, leading to an inability to stand.

What should I avoid with a L5-S1 herniated disc?

Avoid the following exercises:Sit-Ups. Sit-ups are difficult to perform correctly and are not recommended for those with a herniated disc due to the pressure that is put on the lower back. ... Squats. ... Cycling. ... Standing Hamstring Stretch. ... Deadlifts. ... High Impact Aerobic Activity. ... Leg Press. ... Straight Leg Raises.

What are the long term effects of a herniated disc?

Although rare, the long-term effects of untreated herniated discs can be severe. They can cause permanent nerve damage, causing a loss of sensation in the legs, loss of bowel control, or partial paralysis. This is why it's important to seek treatment for herniated discs.

How do you treat an L5-S1 herniated disc?

How Do I Heal My Moderate Herniated Disc at L5-S1?Avoid the Common Causes. First of all, before back pain can be resolved, the source of the pain must be identified. ... Bed Rest. ... Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. ... Perform Healing Exercises. ... Flex and Extensions.

Can I go for a walk with a herniated disc?

Daily walks are an excellent way to exercise with a herniated disc, without putting additional strain on your spine and causing painful symptoms to flare up.

How can I walk with a herniated disc?

1:1212:14Sciatica with Herniated Disc? Best Way to Walk, Sit, Sleep, & Drive.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you walk and you take long strides. And and you'd go off your toe like this you can actuallyMoreIf you walk and you take long strides. And and you'd go off your toe like this you can actually stretch that nerve sure. So what we want you to do is just very simply is to take very short strides.

Do you ever fully recover from a herniated disc?

Self care: In most cases, the pain from a herniated disc will get better within a couple days and completely resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Restricting your activity, ice/heat therapy, and taking over the counter medications will help your recovery.

Does a herniated disc hurt all the time?

Herniated disk pain can sometimes be intermittent. People can have minor pain that's always there or stronger pain that comes and goes depending on the activity they're doing. Varying pain typically has to do with movement and the position of the body.

How to treat muscle weakness from a herniated disc?

Treatment options to address the weakness can vary. Often, muscle weakness can be treated with a conservative approach — including physical therapy, exercise, stretching, over-the-counter or prescription medication and hot and cold packs. Occasionally, a conservative approach isn’t entirely effective against muscle weakness, in which case a surgical alternative may be suggested.

Why do my discs hurt?

Herniated discs cause muscle weakness, as well as other symptoms, as a result of a spinal nerve root or spinal cord compression. Spinal nerve roots send signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, and back again, which explains why pain or discomfort in the extremities can often stem from neck and back issues.

Can you live with muscle weakness?

Living with muscle weakness does not need to be permanent, and with advances in modern medicine, there are exciting alternatives to traditional open back disc surgery.

Can a herniated disc cause weakness?

The extent of muscle weakness experienced is entirely dependent on specific spinal nerves being compressed by the herniated disc. In the lumbar spine (lower back), a compress ed nerve root can be the cause of lower back pain , but also numbness, tingling and muscle weakness in the legs and feet, typically on one side of the body. Meanwhile, a herniated cervical disc (in the neck) can cause neck pain and weakness in an arm and hand.

What is a Herniated Disc?

The bones that form the spin e – also known as vertebrae – are cushioned by discs. These discs act as shock absorbers for the spine.

How Long Does It Take for a Herniated Disc Injury to Cause Pain?

In some cases, people with herniated discs feel zero pain because the disc doesn’t press on any nerves.

What is the role of discs in the spine?

The bones that form the spine—also known as vertebrae—are cushioned by discs. These discs act as shock absorbents for the spine. A herniated disc occurs when a fragment of the disc nucleus—a gel-like substance that cushions the bone—is pushed out of the outer layer of the disc and into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture. This displacement causes the disc to press on spinal nerves which can cause intense pain. However, the signs of a herniated disc can also vary from person to person, with men being twice as likely to experience a herniated disc than women.

What does it feel like to have a sciatic nerve injury?

Sometimes when one or several nerves affecting the sciatic nerve are irritated, one might feel an aching pain or even a cold sensation along one side of the body from the trunk to the foot. The pain is also often described as feeling like an electric shock on either the left or right side.

Why does my hand go numb?

Hand numbness is a sign that your cervical spine (located in your ne ck) is the source of the disc rupture.

How to treat spinal nerve pain?

This helps to decrease inflammation in the spinal nerve. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication is frequently prescribed if the pain is only mild to moderate .

How long does it take for a disc to heal?

Symptoms normally reduce or resolve after a number of weeks but for more serious, persistent cases, surgery may be required.

What causes a herniated disc?

Factors that can increase your risk of a herniated disk include: 1 Weight. Excess body weight causes extra stress on the disks in your lower back. 2 Occupation. People with physically demanding jobs have a greater risk of back problems. Repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing, bending sideways and twisting also can increase your risk of a herniated disk. 3 Genetics. Some people inherit a predisposition to developing a herniated disk. 4 Smoking. It's thought that smoking lessens the oxygen supply to the disk, causing it to break down more quickly.

How do you know if you have a herniated disk?

Arm or leg pain. If your herniated disk is in your lower back, you'll typically feel the most pain in your buttocks, thigh and calf.

What is the name of the soft disk that lies between the vertebrae?

Herniated disk. Herniated disk. The rubbery disks that lie between the vertebrae in your spine consist of a soft center (nucleus) surrounded by a tougher exterior (annulus). A herniated disk occurs when a portion of the nucleus pushes through a crack in the annulus. Symptoms may occur if the herniation compresses a nerve.

What does it mean when your disk is numb?

Numbness or tingling . People who have a herniated disk often have radiating numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.

What does it feel like to have a herniated disk in your neck?

If your herniated disk is in your neck, you'll typically feel the most pain in your shoulder and arm. This pain might shoot into your arm or leg when you cough, sneeze or move into certain positions. Pain is often described as sharp or burning. Numbness or tingling.

What is the spinal cord that ends above the waist?

Complications. Just above your waist, your spinal cord ends. What continues through the spinal canal is a group of long nerve roots that resemble a horse's tail (cauda equina). Rarely, disk herniation can compress the entire spinal canal, including all the nerves of the cauda equina.

How to prevent herniation in the back?

Keep your back straight and aligned, particularly when sitting for long periods. Lift heavy objects properly, making your legs — not your back — do most of the work. Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight puts more pressure on the spine and disks, making them more susceptible to herniation.

How to tell if a disc is herniated?

A herniated disc in the low back (lumbar spine) may cause the following symptoms: 1 low back pain 2 muscle tightness or cramping in your low back 3 pain that radiates down your leg (s) (this is also called referred pain, lumbar radiculopathy, or sciatica) 4 tingling in your leg (s) or foot/feet 5 weakness in your leg (s) or foot/feet 6 very rare: loss of bowel or bladder control (Please, if this happens, seek immediate medical care.)

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck?

Cervical Herniated Disc Symptoms. If you have a herniated disc or bulging disc in your neck (cervical spine), then you may experience: neck pain. muscle tightness or cramping in your neck. pain that radiates (or travels) down your arm (s) (this is also called referred pain or cervical radiculopathy) tingling in your arm (s) or hand (s)

How long does it take for a herniated disc to heal?

You should make an appointment with a doctor if your herniated disc symptoms linger for more than two weeks. If you experience sudden onset of pain (after lifting something heavy incorrectly, for example), call your doctor. It's very rare, but herniated discs can cause you to lose bowel or bladder control (as mentioned above).

What is it called when you feel pain in your leg?

pain that radiates down your leg (s) (this is also called referred pain, lumbar radiculopathy , or sciatica) tingling in your leg (s) or foot/feet. weakness in your leg (s) or foot/feet. very rare: loss of bowel or bladder control (Please, if this happens, seek immediate medical care.)

Can a herniated disc cause bowel problems?

It's very rare, but herniated disc s can cause you to lose bowel or bladder control (as mentioned above). If this happens, seek medical attention at once.

Is there a chance that motor strength will return after surgery?

I am gathering the data for a research paper on this subject. It seems that even with surgery, there is an 80% chance that useful motor strength will return. Without surgery, that number is lower. I hope to have enough data to indicate timing of surgery (the later the surgery after nerve compression, the less effective it is).

Can you recover from a herniated disc without surgery?

It is my opinion that motor weakness associated with nerve compression (herniated disc in your case), you do not wait to determine if the strength will return without surgery. Decompression surgery of the nerve root will give the nerve the best chance to recover.

What does it mean when you feel weakness in your legs?

Such symptoms could signal a stroke or other life-threatening illnesses.

Why do my legs feel weak?

In some cases, tissues may pinch or compress a nerve in the spine. This may cause weakness in the legs.

How do you know if you have peripheral neuropathy?

Possible signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include: muscle weakness in the legs or other parts of the body. gradual numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, and legs.

What causes numbness in one leg?

Herniated disk. A herniated disk is where a disk in the spine becomes damaged and puts pressure on the spinal cord and nearby nerves. This can cause nerve irritation that leads to: weakness in one or both legs. numbness or tingling in the legs or feet. shooting pain down one leg.

What are the symptoms of spinal compression?

Besides weakness in the legs, hands, or arms, other potential symptoms of spinal compression include: shooting pain in the neck, back, or legs. pain that spreads from the spine to other parts of the body, such as the arms or legs. numbness in the feet.

Why do my legs feel sore after exercise?

While weakness in the leg often results from overactivity, it may indicate an underlying medical condition. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is muscle pain that occurs around 1–2 days after physical activity. The condition usually occurs after one of the following: starting a new exercise routine.

How long does it take for a weakness in the leg to come on?

Weakness in the legs may happen for a variety of reasons. It may affect one leg or both and may come on suddenly or days or weeks.

What causes weakness in legs?

Leg weakness can be due to systemic disease, inflammatory conditions, or medication side effects. These causes can affect the nerves, spine, or brain, leading to leg weakness. The best course of treatment depends on the cause, which can often be unclear, but a medical provider may be able to recommend tests to identify the correct diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment.

What does it mean when your legs are weak?

Asymmetric: This means one leg feels weaker than the other. Gradual (chronic): This means the weakness got worse over time. Sudden-onset (acute): If you noticed sudden weakness in one or both of your legs, this could be a medical emergency and you should seek immediate medical attention.

What medications can cause weakness in the legs?

Listed below are some medications and treatments that can lead to leg weakness by affecting the muscles in your legs. Cholesterol-reducing medications like statins. Some types of chemotherapy for cancer or autoimmune diseases. Anti-inflammatory medications like steroids.

Why is one leg weaker than the other?

When leg weakness is worse in one leg compared to the other it is asymmetric. Some causes of asymmetric leg weakness include spinal cord damage that is worse on one side of the spine, abnormal growths that affect one side of the spine or one half of the brain more than the other, and injury to the leg nerves that is more pronounced in one leg.

Why do my legs feel weak?

Leg weakness can be caused by inflammation, which is the body’s normal response to injury or infection. Sometimes the body’s immune system is activated when it’s not supposed to which leads to autoimmune inflammatory disease.

What is a slipped disc?

These disks cushion the vertebrae and keep them in place. Although people talk about a slipped disk, nothing actually slips out of place. The outer shell of the disk ruptures, and the jelly-like substance bulges out. It may be pressing on a nerve, which is what causes the pain.A slipped disk is more likely to happen due to strain on the back, such as during heavy lifting, and older individuals are at higher risk.

What causes a decrease in the ability to move your legs?

Abnormal growth: Cancerous and non-cancerous abnormal growths in the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves to the legs can interfere with the signaling from your brain to your legs, leading to a reduction in the ability to move your legs and the sensation of weakness.

Overview

Symptoms

• Most herniated disks occur in the lower back, but they can also occur in the neck. Signs and symptoms depend on where the disk is situated and whether the disk is pressing on a nerve. Herniated disks usually affect one side of the body. 1. Arm or leg pain. If your herniated disk is in your lower back, besides pain in your lower back, you'll typical...

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Causes

Risk Factors

Complications

Prevention