Acute
In the cervical spine, depending on the direction (e.g., central vs. lateral and the size of the herniation, it can impinge:
In the lumbar spine, the vast majority of disc herniations will impinge:
- a single nerve root (lateral) Pattern 3: Sciatica/Lumbar radiculopathy
- or a whole bunch of nerve roots (central) !CES - Cauda Equina Syndrome
- but almost never the spinal cord
