Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Lumbar disc herniation

In a lumbar disc herniation, material from an intervertebral disc can irritate a nerve root, causing pain radiating down the leg, tingling, loss of sensation or weakness. Recovery usually occurs without surgery. New bladder, bowel or saddle-area symptoms are time-critical.

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In a lumbar disc herniation, material from an intervertebral disc can irritate a nerve root, causing pain radiating down the leg, tingling, loss of sensation or weakness. Recovery usually occurs without surgery. New bladder, bowel or saddle-area symptoms are time-critical.

  • Sharp, burning or electric pain from the buttock into the leg and sometimes the foot.
  • Tingling, numbness or altered sensation in a particular area of skin.
  • Change positions and take short walks instead of lying down for long periods.
  • Build up activities gradually and watch for spreading pain, loss of sensation and changes in strength.
  • Call the same day for new or increasing weakness, foot drop or rapidly spreading loss of sensation.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

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Further reading

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B
Back pain: exercise videosStaying gently active and doing suitable exercises helps many people with ordinary lower back pain. A video is not a diagnosis or a personal treatment plan. Stop for increasing radiating pain, loss of sensation, weakness or bladder, bowel and saddle-area symptoms.
L
Lower back painLower back pain is usually not dangerous and often improves by keeping active and gradually building up daily activities. Problems with urination or bowel movements, numbness around the perineum or anus, or rapidly increasing leg weakness require immediate emergency assessment.
C
Cervical disc herniationWith cervical disc herniation, a bulging disc or bony growth presses on a nerve in the neck. This can cause pain, tingling, reduced sensation or weakness in an arm.