Health

Conditions | Herniated Disk

Herniated disks, sometimes called slipped or ruptured disks, are a frequent cause of back pain. They often cause not only pain, but also numbness or weakness in the back, legs or arms.

Learn More About Herniated Disks

Need to know more about how mysofacial pain will affect you or someone you care for? Learn all the basics of a herniated disk and what it does:

     » Introduction to Herniated Disk
     » The Signs of a Herniated Disk
     » What Causes a Herniated Disk?
     » Treatments for Herniated Disks

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Screening and Diagnosis

by MayoClinic.com

To determine whether you have a herniated disk, your doctor reviews your medical history and performs a physical examination, including these tests:

Straight-leg-raising test. You lie flat and your doctor raises your symptomatic leg.
Cross straight-leg-raising test. You lie flat and the doctor raises your unaffected leg.

If these tests cause pain in your leg or back, it may indicate a herniated disk. Your doctor will also perform:

Screening neurological examination. This thorough screening includes testing your reflexes, muscle strength, walking ability and sensation. The doctor may include a test for sensation in the area around the rectum, because this area can be affected by a herniated disk.

In most cases of herniated disk, the physical exam is all that's needed to make a diagnosis. If your doctor suspects another condition or needs to see which nerves are affected, or if there is no symptom improvement after four weeks of conservative treatment, one or more of these diagnostic tests may be performed:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. A magnetic field is used to create images of your body. This test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan. An X-ray unit creates cross-sectional images of your spinal column and the structures around it.
Myelogram. A dye is injected into the spinal fluid, and then X-rays are taken. This test can show pressure on the spinal cord or nerves due to multiple herniated disks or other conditions.
X-rays. Plain X-rays don't detect herniated disks, but they may be performed to rule out other causes of back pain, such as an infection or a broken bone.

2006-12-20

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