Editing Lumbar disc disease (section)

==Symptoms==
[[Pain]], loss of [[Physical strength|muscle strength]] and loss of [[somatosensory system|touch]] sensation may occur if this [[Spinal disc herniation|herniation]] causes the compression of the most proximal part of the nerve closely neighbouring the intervertebral disc material. Pain is in the distribution of the nerve compressed, usually down the back of the leg, side of the calf and inside of the foot ([[sciatica]]). Most commonly, the [[nerve root]] between the fourth and fifth [[lumbar]] [[vertebrae]] or between the fifth lumbar vertebra and first sacral segment are impinged.{{cn|date=December 2020}}

In [[symptom]]atic cases the [[medical diagnosis|diagnosis]] should be confirmed by an [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]] scan. However, in cases with slight symptoms, a faster and cheaper [[Computed axial tomography|CT]] scan (although it is inferior to MRI scan) may be recommended. While a CT scan can show the bony structures in more detail, an MRI scan can better portray [[soft tissue]].{{cn|date=December 2020}}