Herniated Disc - When To Call a Doctor

When To Call a Doctor

Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if:

• A fall from a height (such as off a stool or ladder) or significant injury (such as a motor vehicle accident) has caused numbness or weakness in one or both legs. A person who has a severe back injury should not be moved until emergency medical assistance arrives.
• Low back pain is accompanied by an inability to move the arms or legs (paralysis), confusion, or shock.

Call your health professional immediately if:

• A ground-level fall or moderate injury (twisting the back, lifting a heavy object) has caused numbness or weakness in one or both legs.
• You have a loss of bowel or bladder control.

Call your health professional if:

• Leg pain is accompanied by persistent weakness, tingling, or numbness in any part of the leg from the buttock to the ankle or foot.
• New low back pain is accompanied by vomiting and/or fever [101° (38.33°) or higher] that lasts longer than 48 hours.
• Leg pain or intermittent weakness, tingling, or numbness persists longer than 1 week despite home treatment.
• You have back pain that either persists or builds in intensity over a few weeks.
• A back injury is work-related and symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days.
• Back pain is accompanied by pain during urination or blood in the urine.
• You have back pain that is worse when you are resting than when you are active.

Watchful Waiting

If you have pain, numbness, or tingling in one leg that gets worse with sitting, standing, or walking (without any obvious leg weakness):

• You may try a brief period of bed rest—usually no more than 1 to 2 days—then gradually begin activities if the pain is manageable.
• Take short walks.
• Avoid movements and positions that increase pain or numbness.
• Call your health professional if:
  • Your leg pain does not improve.
  • Nerve-related symptoms—such as tingling or numbness in your leg, or weakness in both legs and loss of bladder or bowel control—get worse during or after a short period of bed rest.
  • You have weakness in both legs and loss of bladder or bowel control.

Who To See

For diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of a herniated disc, you may see:

• A family medicine doctor.
• An internist.
• A physical therapist.
• A physiatrist (a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation).
• A rheumatologist.
• A neurologist.
• A doctor of osteopathy (osteopath).

For diagnosis and surgical treatment of a herniated disc, specialists include:

• An orthopedic surgeon.
• A neurosurgeon.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment