Why does a herniated lumbar disc compressing a nerve cause leg pain?

Patients suffering from lumbar disc herniation and leg pain due to compression of nerves develop due to weakening of the patient’s fibrous annulus fasciculus, causing protrusion of the nucleus pulposus and compression and irritation of the dural sac and bilateral nerve roots, resulting in pain in the legs in the area of innervation, as well as local numbness and hypoesthesia of the skin and weakening of the patient’s muscles. Some patients may also have difficulty walking, abnormal bowel movements, and pathological reflexes. A definite diagnosis can be made by electromyography or by taking CT or MRI films of the lumbar spine. Symptomatic treatment such as lying down on a hard bed, lumbar traction, acupuncture, or sedation of mannitol solution can relieve the clinical manifestations of the patient.