What it is
It usually gets better within 1 to 3 months. Staying active, gentle exercise and painkillers help.
If the pain does not improve, physiotherapy, steroid injections or surgery may be offered.
Common signs
- Lower back or neck pain
- Pain spreading down the leg or arm
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness in the leg or arm
- Pain worse when moving, coughing or sneezing
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions about symptoms and an examination
- Sometimes an MRI scan
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- GP or physiotherapy notes
- MRI reports
- Spinal surgery or pain clinic letters
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which activities are safe for me?
- Do I need a scan?
- When would an injection or surgery be considered?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Numbness around the bottom or genitals, loss of bladder or bowel control, or weakness in both legs: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.