July 04, 2025
Many people throughout the world suffer from lower back pain, one of its known causes being lumbar disc herniation.
However, there are many other causes to back pain, and an accurate diagnosis is crucial to finding an adequate treatment.
In this article, we will discuss some of the disorders that can easily be mistaken for disc herniation.
What is disc herniation?
The intervertebral disc is formed by a tissue called the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus that is enclosed within it.
Genetic factors, aging, and the strain of daily life can lead to cracks in the annulus fibrosus, causing the nucleus pulposus to protrude outward and resulting in damage to the intervertebral disc. This condition is called disc herniation. A herniated disc in the lumbar region is referred to as lumbar disc herniation.
Medical conditions that can be easily confused with disc herniation
The main symptoms of lumbar disc herniation are pain in the lower back, pain in the buttocks, and pain and numbness in the legs, which can also be observed in other lumbar spine conditions.
Below is a selection of disorders that can easily be mistaken for lumbar disc herniation.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition caused by the inflammation of the sciatic nerve (which is the thickest nerve in the human body, extending from the lower back to the legs).
Sciatica can cause sharp, electric-like pain and numbness in the buttocks, thighs, calves, down to the toes.
Tightness in the calves, limp legs, and a cold or burning sensation are also characteristic symptoms of sciatica.
As the condition progresses, chronic pain and numbness may appear, and in severe cases, urinary and stool problems may also occur, especially in middle-aged and elderly patients. The pain can make it difficult to walk or get up from a chair.
Back strain
A back strain is a severe back pain that appears suddenly. It may occur immediately after waking up in the morning or without any prior activity, but most often it arises when the patient attempts to lift a heavy object abruptly, performs a twisting motion at the waist, assumes an overextended posture, or following a sneeze.
The characteristic of a strained back is that it tends to recur. Once it has happened, it tends to recur, so it is necessary to exercise caution in daily life.
Depending on the severity of the strain, the patient may be able to have some degree of mobility, or not at all. If left untreated when the pain is still mild, there is a risk of it becoming more severe.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
The sacroiliac joints are located between the sacrum and ilium in the pelvis and are responsible for supporting the weight of the upper body, interlocking with the lower body, and balancing the body.
When the joints become slightly misaligned or inflamed due to performing tasks in a semi-crouched position for an extant period of time, external impact, or because of childbirth, pain may arise, which is referred to as sacroiliac joint dysfunction or sacroiliac arthritis.
Pain in the sacroiliac joint area (on a single side or on both), pain in the posterior lateral thigh, and pain in the groin area are characteristic symptoms of sacroiliac joint disorder. Prolonged sitting may become difficult, or sleeping with the painful side down, and pain will be present at the onset of any movement.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction may be suspected when the pain is felt near the superior posterior iliac spine when prodding a finger in the lower back or around the buttocks.
The piriformis syndrome
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle in the buttock stimulates the sciatic nerve.
The piriformis muscle is a muscle that emerges from the back of the buttock and connects to the femur. Because the sciatic nerve passes through the tunnel created by the piriformis muscle, symptoms may occur when the muscle becomes stiff.
The symptoms are characterized by pain and numbness from the buttocks to the lower legs, and are more intense when sitting with the knees turned inward.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disorder in which inflammation occurs in the joints of the bones on the back side of the spine.
The main symptom of osteoarthritis is back pain. Pain occurs when bending or twisting at the waist, and also when walking or after prolonged sitting. In rare cases, pain in the buttocks, thighs, or knees may also occur.
Unlike disc herniation, numbness in the lower limbs is less common, but numbness in the legs may occur if osteoarthritis progresses enough to cause deformation of the spine, in turn resulting in compression of the nerves.
Getting the proper diagnosis is critical
As we have seen, there are a variety of conditions that have symptoms similar to those of disc herniation, and without a clear understanding of which disorder is the cause, it is near impossible to determine the adequate treatment.
If the disease can be diagnosed early, the patient will be able to receive the appropriate treatment at the earliest and return to his previous lifestyle as soon as possible.
Seeing a specialist and receiving a proper diagnosis will enable you to receive the appropriate treatment before your symptoms become too severe.
Treatments at our clinics
Our clinics provide various treatments for disc herniations.
The nucleus pulposus, the cushioning component of the disc, gradually leaks out, causing the disc to progressively collapse. A collapsed disc may be the cause of various types of ailments.
With our Cellgel Method, a drug is injected to fill the cracks in the disc, which then turns into a gel that repairs the cracks, thereby providing a fundamental treatment. It is characterized by the fact that the volume of the disc is not reduced and the drug remains in the disc as a gel-like implant after treatment, thus preserving the disc.
We also offer specialized back pain rehabilitation which can treat various types of back pain for a wide range of age groups.
If you are suffering from back pain or have been diagnosed with disc herniation, please consider a consultation at our clinic.
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How to Prevent Disc Herniation: Important Points to Keep in Mind in Your Daily Life
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