This site is intended for healthcare professionals

CPD
CPD
Pro
Pro
Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Clinical features

Authoring team

The clinical features of prolapsed intervertebral disc are:

  • back pain with very limited movement
  • usually in a fit young adult
  • sudden onset while lifting or stooping
  • inability to straighten up: lumbar lordosis may be lost and there may be a protective sciatic scoliosis
  • pain felt in leg and buttock - sciatica - may be a day or two later
  • worsened by coughing and straining
  • may be paraesthesia or numbness in the leg or foot
  • urinary retention may result if cauda equina compression - this is a surgical emergency
  • tenderness in the midline of the lower back
  • pain may be worsened by foot dorsiflexion and bowstringing of the popliteal nerve
  • sometime "crossed sciatic tension" - sciatic pain in the affected leg on raising the unaffected leg

Reference

  1. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management. NICE Guidelines (November 2016 - last updated December 2020) NG59

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.