Symptoms of an intervertebral disc herniation include back pain with possible radiation to different parts of the lower limbs. The basis for determining the source of pain is a patient history and, if possible, a physical neurological examination and imaging methods such as X-ray and computer tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is the method which can show that the patient has a herniated disc, even if they are not presenting any symptoms (asymptomatic herniation, 25 to 30 % of employed patients). An associated stimulus (irritation) of the dorsal roots, causing the perception of pain in the lower limbs, is expressed in only 2 % of the population.
