US Medical Term · conditions
Herniated Disc
Disco Herniado
Also: Hernia de Disco (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Herniated Disc |
| Spanish (Español) | Disco Herniado |
| Chinese (中文) | 椎間盤突出 |
| Korean (한국어) | 추간판 탈출증 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thoát vị đĩa đệm |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Herniated Disc |
| Portuguese (Português) | Hérnia de Disco |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หมอนรองกระดูกทับเส้นประสาท |
| Japanese (日本語) | 椎間板ヘルニア |
What it means
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner gel of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in its tougher outer layer, pressing on nearby nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the path of the affected nerve—often radiating down the arm or leg. The lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) regions are most commonly affected. Herniation can result from aging, injury, or heavy lifting. Most cases improve with rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications, but severe cases may require epidural steroid injections or surgery.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have a herniated disc in my lower back that is causing shooting pain down my leg.
Tengo un disco herniado en la parte baja de la espalda que me causa un dolor agudo que baja por la pierna.
My herniated disc in my neck is causing numbness in my arm and fingers.
Mi disco herniado en el cuello me causa entumecimiento en el brazo y los dedos.
I would like to try physical therapy before considering surgery for my herniated disc.
Me gustaría probar fisioterapia antes de considerar una cirugía para mi disco herniado.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
M51 Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disordersRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026