Lumbar disc bulge, herniation and prolapse are different manifestations of lumbar disc herniation on imaging. Lumbar disc bulge is a lumbar disc herniation that is larger than 3/4 of the vertebral body area, and it can have symptoms of nerve root compression in the lower extremities, such as numbness and pain in the lower extremities, and it can have symptoms of cauda equina nerve compression, such as dysuria. A lumbar disc protrusion is a protrusion of the lumbar disc that does not exceed 1/4 of the vertebral body area. It can also have two types, including the central type and the marginal type. The central type can lead to urinary and fecal disorders, which is a manifestation of the compression of the cauda equina nerve, and the marginal type is a symptom of numbness and pain in the lower limbs due to the compression of the nerve roots, often as radiating pain in the lower limbs. Lumbar disc prolapse is caused by a herniated disc that has fallen into the spinal canal and cannot be reset, often requiring surgery, and can lead to severe numbness and pain in the lower extremities as well as dysfunctional bowel movements. In some cases, surgery is considered in an emergency so that the prolapsed disc can be removed and the pressure on the nerve can be removed, thus relieving the symptoms of numbness and dysfunction of the lower extremities and disappearing.