What are the symptoms of lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation is a common spinal disorder, primarily caused by rupture of the annulus fibrosus of the lumbar intervertebral disc, resulting in posterior or lateral protrusion of the inner nucleus pulposus and compression of adjacent nerve roots or the spinal cord, leading to a series of symptoms. Its main symptoms include:

1. Low back pain: Patients often experience persistent or intermittent dull or sharp pain in the lower back, which worsens with prolonged sitting, standing, or bending, and improves with lying down and rest.

2. Radiating leg pain: When the herniated disc compresses the nerve roots, patients may feel radiating pain from the lower back down the legs. This pain may follow the distribution area of the sciatic nerve, such as the buttocks, posterior thigh, lateral calf, and foot.

3. Sensory abnormalities: Numbness, tingling, or decreased sensation may occur in the areas supplied by the affected nerve roots, typically due to nerve compression.

4. Muscle weakness: Prolonged nerve compression may damage the nerves controlling muscles, causing weakness in the lower limbs, such as foot drop.

5. Cauda equina syndrome: In rare severe cases, a large disc herniation may compress the cauda equina nerves, leading to dysfunction of bowel and bladder control and abnormal sensation in the saddle area.

The severity and duration of symptoms in lumbar disc herniation vary among individuals; some patients may experience only mild discomfort, while others may develop severe functional impairment.