My doctor thinks I have a herniated disk. What is that exactly?

A: Any sudden trauma like a bad fall or a car accident can cause a spine injury like a herniated disk.  A herniated disk is the term used when the disk between vertebrae bulges, breaks open, or breaks into pieces after its hard outer layer is torn or cracked.

If your broken or bulging disk presses on a nerve, it can cause pain – sometimes severe.  One symptom of a herniated disk is sciatica, where you can feel pain and numbness in your backside and down your legs.  You could also experience tingling or numbness in your legs.

Fortunately, most herniated disks heal themselves over time.  It may take anywhere between 1 to 6 months to get better, during which time you may experience pain and discomfort.  Ask your doctor for help dealing with these symptoms.

About 10 percent of herniated disk sufferers need to have surgery.  If your symptoms do not get better after about a month, or if they continue to get worse, you may need to have an operation to fix your herniated disk.