Disc Herniation in Younger Adults

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

• Acute disc herniations are characterized by significant inflammatory response and edema that contribute to mass effect and neural compression 1
• Younger adults with acute radicular pain should be evaluated for disc herniation, as this is the most likely age group to experience true nuclear extrusion 2

Treatment and Prognosis

• The natural history shows improvement within 4 weeks with conservative management in most patients, as the inflammatory process resolves 2

Differential Diagnosis

• Elderly patients with back pain are more likely to have other pathology such as spinal stenosis from degenerative changes rather than acute disc herniation 3, 4