Can a herniated disk cause leg weakness?
A herniated disk, which can occur in any part of the spine, can irritate a nearby nerve. Depending on where the herniated disk is, it can result in pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg.
Can a herniated cervical disc cause leg weakness?
An injured cervical disc can also cause referred pain around the shoulder blade or scapula. Headaches and neck pain are also common. If the disc herniation is large enough to compress the spinal cord, numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs might develop.
How do you treat fragmented discs?
A loose fragment from an injured disc may push against the nerves within the spinal canal. Sometimes the symptoms from a disc fragment can be relieved and managed with a program of Physical Therapy and exercise. Also, these fragments occasionally scar down to the point that symptoms go away.
Does weakness from herniated disc go away?
A herniated disk may irritate or compress a nearby spinal nerve root. The result can be back pain, along with pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. For most people who develop back pain — whether it is because of a herniated disk or due to another problem — symptoms often go away within six to eight weeks.
Can a herniated disc make it hard to walk?
Chronic pain, numbness, or weakness in your legs could affect your mobility, making tasks like walking or driving very difficult. You may need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair to get around. Some people require assistance getting in or out of a car.
How can I strengthen my legs after a herniated disc?
Sit in a chair with one foot on the floor and the other extended out straight, with the heel on the floor. Straighten the back and lean forward over the extended leg until there is a stretch along the back of the upper thigh. Hold this position for 15–30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat several times.
Can neck problems cause leg weakness?
A slipped vertebrae, herniated disc, arthritis or spinal stenosis can put pressure on those nerves and arteries, interfering with blood flow and nerve signals in other areas. This reduced blood flow or confused nerve signals can make your hands, arms and legs feel weak.
What does L4-L5 feel like?
Referred pain from L4-L5 usually stays within the lower back and is typically felt as a dull ache. The back may also feel stiff. Depending on the type and severity of the underlying cause, the L4-L5 motion segment may cause lumbar radicular pain of the L4 and/or L5 spinal nerves, also called sciatica.
What causes weak leg after a herniated disc?
Herniated disc weak leg is a symptom most often associated with nerve compression of a lumbar or sacral nerve root, typically at L4, L5 or S1. The process which usually creates this weakness is known as foraminal stenosis and describes a pinched spinal nerve root due to a herniated disc pressing into the neuroforaminal space.
What are the symptoms of a fragmented disc?
Fragmented Herniated Disc Symptoms. Many fragmented discs break into small pieces which are easily absorbed by the body, although this will take some time. Chemical radiculitis is a very real concern for some patients with ultra-sensitized nerve tissue which comes in contact with these pieces of nucleus pulposus proteins.
What are the symptoms of a slipped disc in the leg?
If the slipped disc compresses a nearby nerve, it can cause pain and numbness along the affected nerve, often down your leg. Other symptoms include: muscle weakness. pain that’s worse when standing or sitting. tingling or burning sensation in the affected area.
Can a lumbar herniated disc cause leg pain?
A lumber herniated disc is the most common cause of sciatica, leg pain along the sciatic nerve down the back of the leg. These are some general characteristics of lumbar herniated disc pain: Leg pain. The leg pain is typically worse than low back pain.
