Which test should I have if I suspect a herniated disc? Each type of examination has advantages and limitations. Lumbar spine X-ray can observe the general shape of the lumbar spine, the presence of inflammation and tumors, but the nerve condition cannot be seen. Lumbar spine CT can initially determine disc herniation, but since it is a cross-sectional scan, if the prolapsed nucleus pulposus tissue is far from the intervertebral space level, conventional lumbar spine CT may cause a missed diagnosis. The nerve roots are not clearly displayed and the degree of compression is not clear. The advantage is that it is advantageous for the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis and is clearer than MRI. In contrast, MRI examination can detect the presence or absence of disc degeneration, inflammation, and tumors in the spinal canal. The compression of nerves is clearly displayed, and the site and degree of compression can be clarified. Generally professional spine surgeons recommend lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but it is more expensive and often requires waiting in line. Some patients often say: I have a CT or MRI report that says I have a herniated lumbar disc, why does the doctor need me to bring in a film? With advances in imaging technology, lumbar disc herniation is detected at a high rate in the asymptomatic general population, accounting for about 1-6% of the population. Moreover, there is no causal relationship between imaging manifestations and patients’ symptoms and signs, i.e., some patients have CT or MRI manifestations of disc herniation, but the patients have no symptoms; some herniations are even not obvious, but the report states that there is a herniation; some clinical manifestations of the so-called “lumbar disc herniation” are caused by other reasons, such as soft tissue in the lumbar region In some cases, the clinical manifestations of the so-called “lumbar disc herniation” are caused by other causes, such as soft tissue of the lumbar region, tumors in the spinal canal, etc.; some disc herniations are large, but the symptoms are mild, while some herniations are slightly smaller, but the symptoms are more severe due to compression of nerve roots. Sometimes the diagnosis can be confirmed only by discography or selective nerve root closure because the imaging does not match the clinical presentation. This is why professional spine surgeons usually look at the films directly instead of reading the report.