Disc prolapse | Nuffield Health

This is called a disc prolapse or herniated disc. Your back is made up of 24 hollow bones held together by fibrous plates called discs.

Sometimes prolapsed discs put pressure on the nerves in your spine. This may make you feel pain running over your hip and down your leg called sciatic pain (sciatica). You may also feel “pins and needles” or numbness in your leg and lower back pain. In extreme cases symptoms may include difficulty in passing urine.

If your symptoms persist or get worse you may be referred to a spinal consultant. They may order x-rays or an MRI scan. Based on the results of these procedures your consultant may recommend further treatment:

Related tests and scans

CT scan (or CAT scan)

A CT scan is used to produce internal cross-sectional images of the body. The images aid the detection of disease and injury, allowing effective treatment planning.

Electromyography (EMG)

An electromyography is a test to measure your muscle activity at rest and during use.

MRI scan

An MRI is a type of scan that creates detailed images of the inside of your body. Your doctor or healthcare professional has recommended an MRI scan because it is the best way to make an accurate diagnosis of your condition.

X-ray

An X-ray machine produces images of the inside of the body. It is effective in assessing bones and other dense structures within the body.

Related treatments and procedures

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

An anterior cervical discectomy is an operation performed on your upper spine to relieve pain caused by a herniated disc.

Cervical Disc Replacement

Wear and tear or injury in your neck can result in a narrowing of your spinal cord. Pressure on the nerves in this area can cause pain. An alternative to traditional spinal decompression uses surgical implants to replace damaged or diseased cervical discs.

Epidural injection for pain relief

An epidural is a type of pain-killing injection given by an anaesthetist.

Laminectomy

During a laminectomy the surgeon removes enough bone and tissue from the back of the spine to free trapped nerves.

Lumbar discectomy

During lumbar discectomy a surgeon will remove the herniated portion of a disc relieving the pressure on nearby nerves. The procedure is often performed with minimal invasion and often referred to as microdiscectomy.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery

Advances in medical technology mean many spinal procedures can now be performed as minimally invasive surgery.

Spinal (lumbar) Decompression

Spinal decompression is a type of back surgery used to release trapped nerves in the lower (lumbar) spine.

Spinal fusion surgery

Spinal fusion is an operation to weld or fuse together the small bones in your back eliminating motion that is causing back pain.