What are the symptoms of a ruptured disc?
The clinical history usually indicates the patient lifted a heavy object or was involved in repeated episodes of back flexion/lifting such as shoveling snow or digging in a garden. Signs and symptoms may include one or more of the following: • There may be initial back stiffness that increases to actual pain with possible muscle spasm over the ensuing hours. Gradually, or sometimes suddenly back pain yields to leg pain, often with reduction of the back pain. The pain can come from the pressure on the nerve, the swelling within the nerve (caused by the pressure) or injury to the nerve itself. • Remaining in any one position (sitting, standing, or laying) too long may increase pain, sometimes necessitating position changes at interval that range from every few minutes to 10-20 minutes. • Pain may increase with coughing, sneezing, or straining with a bowel movement. Tingling or numbness may be present involving the thigh, lower leg, foot or toes. • Weakness involving the muscles of the le
