Medical Encyclopaedia › Slipped disc (short definition)
In brief: In a slipped (herniated) disc, tissue from the soft core of an intervertebral disc escapes through a tear in the outer fibrous ring. If it presses on a nerve root, it can cause radiating pain, numbness or paralysis. The lumbar spine is most frequently affected.
Causes
With increasing age, the intervertebral discs lose water and elasticity, and small tears form in the fibrous ring. A herniation can then occur during everyday strains such as lifting or twisting. Hereditary predisposition, overweight, smoking, lack of exercise and heavy physical work favour wear. Many disc herniations discovered by chance on MRI cause no symptoms at all.
Symptoms
Typical of a herniation in the lumbar spine are back pain and, above all, pain radiating along a nerve root into the leg, often below the knee or into the foot (sciatica). In addition, there may be tingling, numbness or weakness of certain muscles, for example when lifting the foot. Coughing, sneezing or straining often make the pain worse. A herniation in the cervical spine leads to neck and arm pain.
Warning signs – seek medical assessment immediately
Rapidly increasing paralysis, numbness in the genital and anal area (saddle anaesthesia) and new problems with urination or bowel movements can indicate compression of several nerve roots (cauda equina syndrome). This is an emergency that must be examined in hospital without delay and usually requires surgery.
Treatment
Without warning signs, symptoms improve in most of those affected within weeks to a few months, because the extruded tissue shrinks or is broken down by the body. The focus is therefore on adequate pain relief, for example with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and staying active within the limits of the pain; strict bed rest is not recommended. Physiotherapy supports the return to everyday activities. For severe pain, targeted injections at the nerve root can be considered. Surgery may be considered for significant or increasing paralysis, cauda equina syndrome and persistent pain that cannot be adequately treated; it often relieves leg pain more quickly, but in the long term the results of surgical and conservative treatment often differ only slightly.
Prevention
Regular exercise, strong core muscles, a healthy body weight, not smoking and back-friendly lifting can reduce the risk. After a herniation, gradually increased training helps to regain resilience.
Related terms in the encyclopaedia
Intervertebral disc, Disc protrusion, Sciatica, Radiculopathy, Cauda equina syndrome, Lumbar spine, Disc surgery, Back pain, Physiotherapy, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Further reading on Medizin Aktuell
Sources
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DGOU) u. a.: S2k-Leitlinie „Konservative, operative und rehabilitative Versorgung bei Bandscheibenvorfällen mit radikulärer Symptomatik“, AWMF-Register 033-048
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurologie (DGN): S2k-Leitlinie „Lumbale Radikulopathie“, AWMF-Register 030-058
- Bundesärztekammer, KBV, AWMF: Nationale VersorgungsLeitlinie Nicht-spezifischer Kreuzschmerz
Note: This article is for general information and does not replace advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Last updated: October 2026.