You can have a slipped disk in any part of your spine, from your neck to your lower back. The lower back is the most common area for slipped disks, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Your spinal column is an intricate network of nerves and blood vessels. A slipped disk can place extra pressure on the nerves and muscles around it.

Symptoms of a slipped disk include:

• pain and numbness, most commonly on one side of the body
• pain that extends to your arms and/or legs
• pain that worsens at night
• pain that worsens after standing or sitting
• pain when walking short distances
• unexplained muscle weakness
• tingling, aching, or burning sensations in the affected area

The types of pain can vary from person to person. See your physician if your pain results in numbness or tingling that affects your ability to control your muscles.

A slipped disk occurs when the outer ring becomes weak or torn and allows the inner portion to slip out. This can happen with age. Certain motions may also cause a slipped disk. A disk can slip out of place while you are twisting or turning to lift an object. Lifting a very large, heavy object can place great strain on the lower back, resulting in a slipped disk. If you have a very physically demanding job that requires a lot of lifting, you may be at increased risk for slipped disks.

Overweight individuals are also at increased risk for a slipped disk because their disks must support the additional weight. Weak muscles and a sedentary lifestyle may also contribute to development of a slipped disk.

People who are 35 to 45 years old are more likely to have a slipped disk, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is because your disks begin to lose some of their protective water content as you age. As a result, they can slip more easily out of place. They are more common in men than women.

What Are the Effects of a Slipped Disk?

An untreated, severe slipped disk can lead to permanent nerve damage. In very rare cases, a slipped disk can cut off nerve impulses to the cauda equina nerves in your lower back and legs. If this occurs, you may lose bowel or bladder control.

Another long-term complication is known as saddle anesthesia. In these cases, the slipped disk compresses nerves and that causes you to lose sensation in your inner thighs, the back of your legs, and around your rectum.

While a slipped disk’s symptoms may improve, they also can worsen. If you cannot perform the activities you once could, it is time to see your doctor.

Your physician will first perform a physical exam. He or she will be looking for the source of your pain and discomfort. This will involve checking your nerve function and muscle strength, and whether you feel pain when moving or touching the affected area. Your physician also will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms. He or she will be interested in when you first felt symptoms and what activities cause your pain to worsen.

Imaging tests can help your physician view the bones and muscles of your spine and identify any damaged areas. Examples of imaging scans include:

• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• discograms, which are rarely utilized

Your physician can combine all these pieces of information to determine what is causing your pain, weakness, and/or discomfort.

Treatments for a slipped disk range from conservative to surgical. The treatment typically depends on the level of discomfort you are experiencing and how far the disk has slipped out of place.

The Mayo Clinic advises that most patients can relieve slipped disk pain using an exercise program that stretches and strengthens the back and surrounding muscles. A physical therapist may recommend exercises that can strengthen your back while reducing your pain.

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and avoiding heavy lifting and painful positions can also help.

While it may be tempting to refrain from all physical activity while you are experiencing the pain/discomfort of a slipped disk, this can lead to muscle and joint stiffness. Instead, try to remain as active as possible through stretching or low-impact activities such as walking.

If your slipped disk pain does not respond to over-the-counter treatments, your physician may prescribe stronger medications. These include:

• muscle relaxers to relieve muscle spasms
• narcotics to relieve pain
• nerve pain medications like gabapentin or duloxetine

Your physician may recommend surgery if your symptoms do not subside in six weeks or if your slipped disk is affecting your muscle function. Your surgeon may simply remove the damaged or protruding portion of the disk without removing the entire disk. This is called a microdiskectomy.

In more severe cases, your doctor may replace the disk with an artificial one or remove the disk and fuse your vertebrae together. This procedure, called a laminectomy, adds stability to your spinal column.

What Is the Outlook for Someone With a Slipped Disk?