A herniated disc, sometimes called a slipped or prolapsed disc, occurs when material from one of the discs between the spinal bones pushes outward. It may cause no symptoms, but pain, numbness or weakness can develop if nearby nerves are irritated or compressed.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the location of the affected disc and may include:
- neck or lower back pain
- pain spreading into an arm, buttock or leg
- tingling or numbness in an arm, hand, leg or foot
- muscle weakness
- difficulty bending or straightening the back
Pain travelling from the lower back into the leg is often called sciatica. Many disc changes seen on scans cause no symptoms, so imaging findings must be interpreted alongside the examination.
Diagnosis
A clinician usually makes the diagnosis from the symptoms and a physical and neurological examination. An MRI scan is not routinely needed at the start. It may be considered when symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, when surgery is being considered, or when another serious cause is suspected.
Treatment and recovery
Most people improve without surgery. Treatment may include:
- remaining active and gradually returning to normal movement
- physiotherapy or an individual exercise programme
- pain relief discussed with a pharmacist or clinician
- short-term modification of activities that clearly worsen symptoms
Prolonged bed rest can delay recovery. Anti-inflammatory medicines are not suitable for everyone, particularly some people with stomach, kidney, heart or bleeding problems. A clinician can advise on safer choices.
Specialist assessment may be needed if pain remains disabling or weakness progresses. Injections or surgery are considered only in selected cases. Surgery is more likely to be discussed when nerve compression causes persistent severe symptoms or worsening neurological loss.
Emergency warning signs
Get immediate emergency help for new numbness around the genitals or buttocks, difficulty starting or controlling urination, loss of bowel control, or severe or rapidly worsening weakness in one or both legs. These can indicate cauda equina syndrome and require urgent assessment.
Urgent assessment is also needed after a serious accident, or when back pain occurs with fever, unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer or severe night pain.
Sources
Reviewed: 28 August 2026