Slipped Disc (Prolapsed or Herniated Disc)
A slipped disc, also known as a prolapsed or herniated disc, occurs when the tough outer ring of an intervertebral disc tears, allowing the soft, gel-like centre to bulge outward.
What Causes a Slipped Disc?
Slipped discs most commonly affect adults aged 30 to 50, occurring most frequently in the lower back (lumbar spine). They develop when stress on the spine forces the disc's gel interior through its outer casing. Key risk factors and triggers include incorrect lifting technique, repetitive rotational strain, age-related disc degeneration, sedentary lifestyle and posture
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms depend on the location of the affected disc and whether it is compressing a spinal nerve:
- Localised lower back pain or stiffness
- Sciatica, sharp, burning, or shooting pain that travels down the buttock, leg, and into the foot
- Numbness, tingling, or "pins and needles" along the nerve pathway in your arm, leg, or foot
- Muscle weakness in the affected leg or arm, making it difficult to lift the foot (foot drop) or grip objects
- Pain that worsens with coughing, sneezing, bending, or sitting for prolonged periods
Emergency Red Flags
Seek immediate emergency medical attention (A&E) if a slipped disc causes loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around your genitals or buttocks (saddle anaesthesia), or sudden weakness in both legs. These are signs of Cauda Equina Syndrome, a medical emergency.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Your Fortius specialist will perform a detailed clinical evaluation to pinpoint the exact level of nerve irritation. Diagnostic steps include:
- Physical and neurological exam: Assessing muscle strength, reflexes, sensation, and conducting tests such as the straight-leg raise to check for sciatic nerve compression.
- MRI scan: The gold-standard imaging modality to visualise soft tissues, confirming the exact size, location, and severity of the disc herniation.
- X-rays or CT scans: Used to rule out structural bone issues, fractures, or osteoarthritic changes.
How Is It Treated?
The majority of slipped discs resolve within four to six weeks using conservative, non-surgical management tailored to your recovery goals.
Treatment Routes for Slipped disc
Remaining active with low-impact movement—such as walking or swimming—helps speed up recovery. Your specialist may recommend anti-inflammatory medications alongside a targeted rehabilitation plan. Specialist physiotherapy focuses on gentle spinal mobilisation, core stabilisation, and manual therapy to relieve nerve pressure.
Working with Spine professionals and teams
Our spine specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their spines. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Spine treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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