Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Low back pain that radiates down one leg (sciatica)
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Leg or foot weakness
- Pain worsened by sitting, bending, or coughing
- Reduced reflexes on physical exam
Lumbar Disc Herniation .
A lumbar disc herniation happens when a disc in the lower back presses on one or more spinal nerves. Patients often experience lower back pain that radiates down the leg (sciatica), along with numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, or reduced reflexes in the legs or feet.
Lumbar Disc Herniation at a glance
- What it is: A lumbar disc herniation happens when a disc in the lower back presses on one or more spinal nerves. Patients often experience lower back pain that radiates down the leg (sciatica), along with numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, or reduced reflexes in the legs or feet.
- Common symptoms: Low back pain that radiates down one leg (sciatica); Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot; Leg or foot weakness.
- First-line treatment: Activity modification + physical therapy — Most lumbar herniations improve over weeks with conservative care.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding lumbar disc herniation
Causes
Common causes
- Lifting injury
- Age-related disc degeneration
- Repetitive bending or twisting
- Trauma or fall
- Genetic predisposition to disc wear
How Dr. Yasmeh treats it
Treatment options
Dr. Yasmeh starts with the least-invasive option that fits your case and only escalates when clearly needed.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most patients improve without surgery. Dr. Yasmeh sequences therapy, medication, and targeted injections before considering operative options.
- Activity modification + physical therapy — Most lumbar herniations improve over weeks with conservative care.
- NSAIDs and short oral steroid taper — Reduces nerve-root inflammation.
- Image-guided epidural steroid injection — Often the next step when oral medication and PT are not enough.
Surgical care
When neededWhen surgery is the right answer
When non-operative care has not worked or symptoms are progressive, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving techniques whenever clinically appropriate.
- Microdiscectomy — A minimally invasive procedure to remove the portion of disc pressing on the nerve — usually outpatient with rapid recovery.
Common questions
About lumbar disc herniation.
- Most patients improve with conservative care — physical therapy, medication, and targeted injections. Dr. Yasmeh only recommends surgery when symptoms are progressive, when there is neurological compromise, or when conservative care has not resolved the problem.
- Diagnosis combines a careful history, physical exam, and imaging (typically MRI). Dr. Yasmeh reviews your imaging with you in plain language so you understand what's happening.
- Yes — Dr. Yasmeh offers second opinions, especially for patients told they need fusion. He evaluates motion-preserving alternatives like laminoplasty or artificial disc replacement when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Yasmeh sees patients at four offices across Greater Los Angeles: East LA (1700 E Cesar Chavez Ave), Glendale (1505 Wilson Terrace), Santa Fe Springs (12215 Telegraph Rd), and Tarzana (18840 Ventura Blvd).
Related procedures
Procedures Dr. Yasmeh performs for this condition
Microdiscectomy
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Spinal Decompression
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Epidural Steroid Injection
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Ready when you are
Get clarity on your lumbar disc herniation today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.