How to Identify a Ruptured Disk
A ruptured disk involves the disks found in the spinal column that help provide movement and support for the spine. A ruptured disk is a disk that has slipped or moved out of place. Normally, the spine is able to bend and flex, but the presence of a ruptured disk prevents such movement. The disk is a cushion or pad that is soft and filled with a gel-like substance that grows harder as an individual ages. These disks act like buffers and provide cushioning between the vertebrae of the spine. Learning how to identify symptoms of a ruptured disk may help to prevent complications such as muscle loss and weakness or long-term injury.
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Instructions
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Notice if you are experiencing shooting pains in the spine. This is often the first signs of a back injury. The spine provides protection for millions of nerve pathways that span from the brain to every other part of the human form. Pay attention to any type of pain that seems to originate in the spinal area or pain that seems to shoot down the buttocks to the back of one or both legs.
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Watch for difficulty moving, or movement that produces pain in the limbs. Spinal injuries often produce sharp, shooting pains that travel down the legs. Such pain may produce an almost cramping sensation in the legs of those suffering from a ruptured disk.
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Pay attention to any discomfort or inability to stand or straighten from a lying or sitting position. Also watch for inability to bend down without causing severe spasms in the mid to lower back regions.
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Be alert to any signs of numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, feet or legs that often accompany a spinal injury or ruptured disk. Loss of strength or ability to hold objects with the hands is often an indication that a slipped or ruptured disk is placing pressure on a nerve.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid lifting objects or sudden twisting moves when suffering from a ruptured disk. In addition, use proper posture and ergonomic methods when lifting any object.
Give your back time to heal. This may take several days or even several weeks, depending on the severity of injury. Call your doctor if you experience any increase of pain or weakness in legs or bladder control.
