Most herniated discs occur in the lumbar section of the spine and about 90% of them will occur at its lower levels such as L4- L5 (lumbar segments 4 and 5) or L5- S1 (lumbar segment 5 and sacral segment 1).

As the weakest spot in a lumbar disc wall is directly under the nerve root, a herniation usually occurs back into the spinal canal and puts direct pressure on the nerve caused the spinal nerve inflammation and swelling.

As nerves in lumbar section of the spine are exiting from the spinal cord between the vertebras and then join together again to form the sciatic nerve, which runs down the legs, a herniated lumbar disc will usually cause pain to radiate into the buttocks, and the pain may also travel all the way down the patient’s leg to the foot. This pain is usually described as a deep and sharp pain, which gets worse as it moves down the affected leg. Often, the pain could be accompanied with weakness and numbness in the legs.

In most cases, the treatment of patients with a herniated lumbar disc does not include surgery. Eighty percent of people will respond to conservative treatment, improve and return to normal activity in about 6 weeks. Conservative treatment will help reduce the pain and discomfort and normally include:

• Manipulative treatment - helps to relieve the pressure on the nerve route;
• Medications - help to relieve the inflammation;
• Exercises - help to relive the pressure on the nerve route;
• Physiotherapy - helps to relive the pain syndrome;

Surgery, most often a microdiscectomy or lumbar laminectomy, is recommended to patients if the pain continues after six weeks of conservative treatment.