Lumbar disc prolapse (Slipped disc)

This is a common condition and may affect people of all ages.  It often causes acute severe pain in the back and radiating down the leg.  The prolapsed disc often shrinks down in size spontaneously and the majority of people do not need any treatment other than pain killers.  However, if the pain is prolonged or affecting ability to work or perform normal daily activities, treatment options include performing a steroid injection around the nerve to improve the pain, or performing microdiscectomy to remove the disc bulge.