The discs between the bones of your spine help it move and absorb load. A disc can bulge or herniate. This is often called a slipped disc, although the disc does not actually slip out of place.
What symptoms can it cause?
Some disc changes cause no symptoms. If a disc presses on a nerve in the lower back, it can cause sciatica: pain travelling into the buttock and leg, sometimes with tingling, numbness or weakness. A disc in the neck can cause pain or altered feeling in an arm.
Do I need an MRI?
An MRI is not needed for every episode of back pain. It may help when symptoms persist, weakness develops or an injection or operation is being considered. The scan must be interpreted alongside your symptoms and examination.
What are the treatments?
Many disc prolapses improve without surgery. Initial care may include activity advice, pain relief and physiotherapy. A targeted injection may be considered for selected people with severe nerve pain.
If leg pain remains disabling and a scan shows pressure on the nerve that matches your symptoms, microdiscectomy or endoscopic discectomy may be helpful. Sometimes pain in the back can remain even after surgical treatment.