![]() ![]() Make all your physical activity slow and controlled (steady), especially bending forward and lifting.Take rest breaks throughout the day, but avoid sitting for long periods.When you resume activity, try to do the following: Do not stay off your feet for longer, however. One to 2 days of bed rest will usually help relieve back and leg pain. Initial treatment for a herniated disk is usually nonsurgical. However, some patients do experience episodes of pain during their recovery. Typically, most patients are free of symptoms by 3 to 4 months. If you feel pain down your leg and below the knee, it is a strong indication that you have a herniated disk.įor most patients, a herniated lumbar disk will slowly improve over a period of several days to weeks. During the test, you lie on your back and your doctor carefully lifts your affected leg. This is a specialized test to predict if a disk herniation is present, especially in younger patients. These may sometimes be absent if there is a compressed nerve root in your spine. Test your reflexes at the knee and ankle.Detect loss of sensation by checking whether you can feel a light touch on your leg and foot.Muscle strength in other parts of your body may also be tested. Check muscle strength in your lower leg by assessing how you walk on both your heels and toes.A neurological examination will help your doctor determine if you have any muscle weakness or loss of sensation (feeling). The exam may include the following tests: ![]() Learn more: Smoking and Musculoskeletal Health SymptomsĪfter discussing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will perform a physical examination. It is believed that smoking lessens the oxygen supply to the disk and causes more rapid degeneration. Regular exercise is important in preventing many medical conditions, including a herniated disk. Staying seated for long periods, plus the vibration from the car engine, can put pressure on your spine and disks. Using safe lifting and movement techniques can help protect your back.įrequent driving. Some require constant lifting, pulling, bending, or twisting. Repetitive activities that strain your spine. Being overweight puts added stress on the disks in your lower back. Lifting with your legs, not your back, may protect your spine. Twisting while you lift can also make your back vulnerable. Using your back muscles instead of your legs to lift heavy objects can cause a herniated disk. Men between the ages of 20 and 50 are most likely to have a herniated disk. ![]() Risk FactorsĬertain factors may increase your risk of a herniated disk. This normal aging process makes the disks more prone to herniation.Ī traumatic event, such as a fall, can also cause a herniated disk. The disks begin to shrink and the spaces between the vertebrae get narrower. As people age, the water content in the disks decreases and the disks become less flexible. In children and young adults, disks have high water content. This process is called disk degeneration. A herniated disk is most often the result of natural, age-related wear and tear on the spine. ![]()
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