Back pain can easily sneak up on people and often when they least expect it. When you have a slipped disc sharp pain can radiate through the lower back. In this article, we will look at slipped discs and when to call our GP home doctor for a slipped disc in Sotogrande.
What is a slipped disc?
Our GP home doctor for a slipped disc in Sotogrande defines a slipped disc as a problem that occurs with one of the disks that sit between the vertebrae. The vertebrae all stack up to make your spine.
A spinal disk has a jelly-like centre that’s encased in a tough, rubber-like exterior. This exterior is known as the “annulus”. Occasionally known as a slipped or ruptured disk, a herniated disk can occur when a part of the jelly-like centre (The nucleus) pushes out through a hole located in the annulus.
A herniated disk can typically occur in any area of the spine, and it can irritate a nerve that’s nearby. This can cause a lot of pain, weakness, or numbness in a leg or arm.
Many people experience no symptoms from a herniated disc. Incredibly, surgery is usually not necessary in order to relieve the pain or other symptoms.
Symptoms of slipped disc
Most herniated discs tend to occur in the lower part of the back. However, they can occur in the neck too. Signs and symptoms can ultimately depend on where the disc is situated. It can also depend on whether the disk is pressing down on a nerve. A slipped disc usually affects one side of the body. Our GP home doctor for a slipped disc in Sotogrande listed the following symptoms:
Arm or leg pain - If the herniated disk is located in your lower back, you could feel much of your pain in your buttocks, calf, and thigh. You might have pain in your foot. If your herniated disc is located in your neck, you will typically feel most of the pain in your shoulder and your arm. The pain can shoot into your leg or arm when you sneeze, cough or you move into certain positions. The pain felt is often described as a sharp or burning pain.
Numbness or tingling - Those who have a herniated disc can often have radiating numbness or tingling that’s located in a part of the body that’s served by the affected nerves.
Weakness - Muscles served by the nerves that are affected tend to weaken. This can often cause patients to fall or stumble. It can also affect their ability to hold or lift things.
Patients can have a herniated disc without experiencing any symptoms. However, they might not know they have one unless it is seen on a spinal image.
When to call our GP home doctor for a slipped disc in Sotogrande
Call our GP home doctor for a slipped disc in Sotogrande if your neck or back pain travels down your arm or leg. You should also call our GP if you have any weakness, numbness, or tingling.