Lumbar disc herniation: a common cause of leg pain or "sciatica"

One of the most common spine-related conditions is leg pain or sciatica from a lumbar disc herniation. Often referred to as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, a disc herniation can put tension on a spinal nerve which leads to leg pain, numbness, or even weakness in the muscles of you leg.

The intervertebral discs are made out of cartilage. Over time, cartilage in the moving parts of our body breaks down. When this occurs in the spine, the soft, rubbery center of the disc can be forced through the outer wall or annulus of the disc into the spinal canal. In the spinal canal, the herniated disc material puts mechanical pressure or tension on the spinal nerve roots, often leading to leg pain. This is not to be confused with a disc bulge which is simply a normal part of aging of the disc.

If symptoms from a disc herniation do not improve with medical treatment, surgery is a treatment option with predictable results. Click here to read about the SPORT trial, a research study comparing surgery to nonsurgical treatment. Dr. Patton performs outpatient surgery for disc herniations through a small incision under magnification.