Slipped disc is the common name for the medical term 'prolapsed' or 'herniated' disc.

Many people in the UK have back pain and although a slipped disc causes back pain and/or leg pain, there are many other causes and a slipped disc is not a very common cause.

The discs are protective, circular pads of cartilage that lie between the bones of your spine (vertebrae) and cushion the vertebrae when you jump or run. They are made up of a tough, fibrous case, which contains a softer gel.

A slipped disc occurs when the outer part of a disc ruptures and allows the gel inside to bulge outwards from between the vertebrae. The damaged disc can put pressure on your whole spinal cord or on a single nerve fibre. This means that a slipped disc can cause pain both around the area of the bulge or anywhere along the area controlled by an affected nerve.

A slipped disc occurs most frequently in your lower back, but any disc can rupture, including those in your upper back and neck.

Slipped discs occur most often in your lower back. The main symptoms of a slipped disc in this region are sudden, severe back pain, muscle spasm and sciatica.

Sciatica is pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling that extends down the sciatic nerve that runs from your lower spine through each buttock and leg. Usually the pain is only on one side. The pain is often made worse by moving, coughing or straining.

Occasionally a slipped disc can affect your bladder and/or bowel control. These symptoms include:

• Difficulty passing or controlling urine
• Altered sensation around your back passage or genitals
• Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in both legs
• Unsteadiness on your feet

Any of these symptoms could suggest a medical emergency and you should contact a medical professional as soon as possible.

In 90% of cases the pain from a slipped disc gets better on its own and does not require an MRI and/or surgery. However, the healing process may take some time. For most people the condition gets a lot better within about six weeks.

Current advice is to try to remain active once the most acute pain in the leg has passed. Most cases of back pain will improve on its own within a few days or weeks. Staying as active as possible will help relieve symptoms even if you are in a lot of pain. It is advised that you continue to work, or return to work as soon as possible.

Current recommended treatments for sciatica may include:

• Continue with normal activities wherever possible
• Use of over-the-counter painkillers
• Use of anti-inflammatory drugs and stronger painkillers (consult your pharmacist or GP first)
• Special medication is may be prescribed if severe nerve pain is present. This is usually described as hot, burning, shooting, or stabbing. Explain these symptoms to your GP, who will decide what medication is appropriate.
• A muscle relaxant may be prescribed but only for a few days
• If you are in severe pain, keep any bed rest as short as possible, as complete rest does not help recovery
• Exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve posture Apply heat (heating pad, hot water bottle or hot shower) to ease muscular pain
• You can also consider seeing a qualified physiotherapist who may provide short-term comfort in some people with acute back pain or nerve root pain.
• If healing does not happen on its own within a reasonable time, usually between six weeks and three months, other options may be considered. Your GP and/or physiotherapists should be able to offer advice on this.

Your GP or physiotherapist will normally be able to try and diagnose a slipped disc from your description of any pain you are experiencing, along with a physical examination of your back, legs and feet to identify any sciatic nerve problems. Often certain movements will cause any leg pains to move up or down your leg. This can help pin point the cause of your symptoms.

If it is suspected that a slipped disc is the cause of symptoms in your leg(s) and is not settled within six weeks to three months then an MRI scan of your spine may be arranged.

In 90% of cases the pain from a slipped disc gets better on its own and does not require an

MRI and/or surgery. However, the healing process may take some time. For most people the

condition gets a lot better within about six weeks.
Current advice is to try to remain active once the most acute pain in the leg has passed.

Most cases of back pain will improve on its own within a few days or weeks. Staying as active

as possible will help relieve symptoms even if you are in a lot of pain. It is advised that

you continue to work, or return to work as soon as possible.

Current recommended treatments for sciatica may include:

• Continue with normal activities wherever possible
• Use of over-the-counter painkillers
• Use of anti-inflammatory drugs and stronger painkillers (consult your pharmacist or GP first)
• Special medication is may be prescribed if severe nerve pain is present. This is usually described as hot, burning, shooting, or stabbing. Explain these symptoms to your GP, who will decide what medication is appropriate.
• A muscle relaxant may be prescribed but only for a few days
• If you are in severe pain, keep any bed rest as short as possible, as complete rest does not help recovery
• Exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve posture
• Apply heat (heating pad, hot water bottle or hot shower) to ease muscular pain

You can also consider seeing a qualified physiotherapist who may provide short-term comfort in some people with acute back pain or nerve root pain.
If healing does not happen on its own within a reasonable time, usually between six weeks and three months, other options may be considered. Your GP and/or physiotherapists should be able to offer advice on this.