What are the early symptoms of lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation is a disease that many middle-aged and elderly people are prone to. Nowadays, these diseases are occurring at younger and younger ages, so this tells us that we must pay attention to the correct response and solution in our lives. Common manifestations are pain in the waist and radiating pain in the lower limbs, and waist movement will be restricted.

1. Low back pain; most patients have a history of low back pain for several weeks or months, or a history of repeated low back pain attacks. The severity of low back pain varies, and severe cases can affect turning over and sitting. Generally, the symptoms will be relieved after rest. Coughing, sneezing or straining during bowel movements can make the pain worse.

2. Radiating pain in the lower limbs: Radiating pain in the sciatic nerve area of ​​one lower limb is the main symptom of this disease, which often occurs when the low back pain disappears or is alleviated. The pain starts in the buttocks and gradually radiates to the posterior thigh and outer side of the calf. Sometimes it may develop to the outer side of the dorsum of the foot, the heel or the sole of the foot, affecting standing and walking. If the protrusion is central, the symptoms are in the cauda equina, and if the protrusion is bilateral, the radiation may be bilateral or alternating.

3. Lumbar movement disorder: Lumbar movement is affected in all aspects, especially extension disorder. A few patients have significant limitation in forward flexion.

4. Scoliosis: Most patients have varying degrees of lumbar scoliosis. The direction of the scoliosis can indicate the location of the protrusion and its relationship to the nerve root.

5. Observational numbness: Patients with a long course of illness often experience subjective numbness. It is often confined to the posterior and lateral sides of the calf, dorsum of the foot, heel or sole of the foot.

6. Decreased temperature of the affected limb: Many patients feel coldness in the affected limb. Objective examination shows that the temperature of the affected limb is lower than that of the healthy side. The dorsalis pedis artery pulsation is also weak in some patients, which is caused by stimulation of the sympathetic nerves. It must be differentiated from embolic arteritis.