Slip Disc and Sciatica: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options

A slip disc occurs when the soft cushion between spine bones bulges or herniates and irritates nearby nerves. When this affects the sciatic nerve, pain may travel from the lower back to the buttock, thigh, leg, or foot.

Common symptoms

Symptoms include sharp leg pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, back stiffness, and pain that increases with coughing, bending, sitting, or lifting. Severe weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the private area is an emergency.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose slip disc through history, neurological examination, and imaging such as MRI when needed. Not every disc bulge requires surgery; treatment depends on symptoms and nerve involvement.

Treatment options

Most patients improve with medicines, rest modification, physiotherapy, posture correction, guided exercises, and lifestyle changes. Injections or endoscopic discectomy may be considered if pain is severe, persistent, or associated with nerve weakness.