What Is a Herniated Disc?

Spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, each with a tougher outer layer and a softer, gel-like center. A herniated disc occurs when that inner material pushes through a tear in the outer layer and presses on a nearby spinal nerve, often causing pain that radiates into the arms or legs depending on the disc's location. Florida Orthopedic & Spine Institute evaluates and treats herniated discs in Naples, Florida.

Symptoms to Watch For

Symptoms vary depending on which disc is affected and which nerve is compressed, but often include:

- Pain radiating into an arm (cervical herniation) or leg (lumbar herniation), sometimes following a specific nerve pathway

- Numbness or tingling in the same distribution as the pain

- Muscle weakness in the affected arm or leg

- Pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, sneezing, or certain bending movements Not every herniated disc causes symptoms.

Many are discovered incidentally on imaging performed for an unrelated reason, and a disc herniation without nerve compression may never require treatment at all.

Florida Orthopedic & Spine Institute patient resource, older adult reaching overhead at home in Naples, Florida

How It's Treated

Most herniated discs improve with physical therapy, activity modification, and image-guided injections such as epidural steroid injections that reduce inflammation around the compressed nerve. Surgery is considered only when conservative care has not relieved symptoms after a reasonable trial, or when there is significant, confirmed nerve compression causing progressive weakness. Your physician will explain exactly what your specific imaging shows, including which disc and nerve are involved and how significant the compression is, before recommending next steps. Questions before your consultation? Call (239) 522-2002 or reach us at [email protected].

When Is It Time to See an Orthopedic Surgeon?

05/13/2026