Health Information

Slipped (Prolapsed) Disc

Slipped (Prolapsed) Disc

A 'slipped' (prolapsed) disc often causes severe lower back pain. The disc often presses on a nerve root which can cause pain and other symptoms in a leg. In most cases, the symptoms ease off gradually over several weeks. The usual advice is to do normal activities as much as possible. Painkillers may help. Physical treatments such as spinal manipulation may also help. Surgery may be an option if the symptoms persist.




Note: this leaflet is about a 'slipped' (prolapsed) disc in the lower back (the lumbar spine). There is a separate leaflet about disc problems in the neck, called Cervical Spondylosis.

Prolapsed disc


Any disc in the spine can prolapse. However, most prolapsed discs occur in the lower back (the lumbar spine). The size of the prolapse can vary. As a rule, the larger the prolapse, the more severe the symptoms are likely to be.

Bouts of back pain are very common. However, less than 1 in 20 cases of sudden-onset (acute) back pain are due to a 'slipped' (prolapsed) disc. (Most cases of back pain are classed as simple low back pain. This is thought to be caused by a minor problem in a muscle, ligament, or other structure in the back - for example, a strained muscle. See separate leaflet called Nonspecific Lower Back Pain in Adults for a general overview of the different types of back pain.)



  • A job involving lots of lifting.
  • A job involving lots of sitting (especially driving).
  • Weight-bearing sports (weightlifting, etc).
  • Smoking.
  • Being overweight (obesity).
  • Increasing age (a disc is more likely to develop a weakness with increasing age).

Back pain

The pain is often severe and usually comes on suddenly. The pain is usually eased by lying down flat and is often made worse if you move your back, cough or sneeze.

Nerve root pain (usually sciatica)


Other nerve root symptoms


Cauda equina syndrome - rare, but an emergency


  • Problems with bowel and bladder function (usually inability to pass urine).
  • Numbness in the saddle area around the back passage (anus).
  • Weakness in one or both legs.


Some people do not have symptoms

Research studies where routine back scans have been done on a large number of people have shown that some people have a prolapsed disc without any symptoms. It is thought that symptoms mainly occur if the prolapse causes pressure on or irritation of a nerve. This does not happen in all cases. Some prolapses may be small, or occur away from the nerves and cause minor or no symptoms.

In most cases, the symptoms tend to improve over a few weeks. Research studies of repeated MRI scans have shown that the bulging prolapsed portion of the disc tends to get smaller (regress) over time in most cases. The symptoms then tend to ease and, in may cases, go. In only about 1 in 10 cases is the pain still bad enough after six weeks to consider surgery (see below).

Your doctor will normally be able to diagnose a 'slipped' (prolapsed) disc from the symptoms and by examining you. (It is the common cause of sudden back pain with nerve root symptoms.) In most cases, no tests are needed, as the symptoms often settle within a few weeks.


Exercise and keep going

Continue with normal activities as far as possible. This may not be possible at first if the pain is very bad. However, move around as soon as possible and get back into normal activities as soon as you are able. As a rule, don't do anything that causes a lot of pain. However, you will have to accept some discomfort when you are trying to keep active. Setting a new goal each day may be a good idea - for example, walking around the house on one day, a walk to the shops the next, etc.

In the past, advice had been to rest until the pain eases. It is now known that this was wrong. You are likely to recover more quickly and are less likely to develop persistent (chronic) back pain if you keep active when you have back pain rather than rest a lot. Also, sleep in the most naturally comfortable position on whatever is the most comfortable surface. (Advice given in the past used to be to sleep on a firm mattress. However, there is no evidence to say that a firm mattress is better than any other type of mattress for people with back pain.)




Physical treatments

Some people visit a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath for manipulation and/or other physical treatments. It is debatable whether physical treatments would help all people with a 'slipped' (prolapsed) disc. However, physical treatments provide some short-term comfort and hasten recovery in some cases.


Surgery may be an option in some cases. As a rule, surgery may be considered if the symptoms have not settled after about six weeks or so. This is the minority of cases as, in about 9 in 10 cases, the symptoms have eased off and are not bad enough to warrant surgery within about six weeks.

The aim of surgery is to cut out the prolapsed part of the disc. This often eases symptoms. However, it does not work in every case. Also, as with all operations, there is a risk from surgery. A specialist will advise on the pros and cons of surgery and on the different techniques that are available.

Evidence suggests that the best way to prevent bouts of back pain and 'slipped' (prolapsed) disc is simply to keep active and to exercise regularly. This means general fitness exercise such as walking, running, swimming, etc. There is no firm evidence to say that any particular back strengthening exercises are more useful than simply keeping fit and active. It is also sensible to be back-aware. For example, do not lift objects when you are in an awkward twisting posture.

Further help & information


Monkey Puzzle House, 69-71 Windmill Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 7DT

Tel: 0208 977 5474

Further reading & references


Original Author:
Dr Tim Kenny
Current Version:
Dr Colin Tidy
Peer Reviewer:
Dr Helen Huins
Document ID:
4886 (v39)
Last Checked:
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