home > symptoms
Symptoms
What are your symptoms?
Pick your symptom and answer one question. You get the page that fits best and how quickly to seek help. Not a diagnosis: a doctor makes that, after an examination.
Pain radiating into a legHerniated disc · spinal stenosis · when it is urgent
Where and when is the pain worst?
Choose what fits best.
Lumbar disc herniation
Pain radiating below the knee that gets worse when sitting or straining fits a herniated disc irritating a nerve root. Most people recover without surgery within 6–12 weeks; an operation comes into view with persistent pain or weakness.
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Heavy or painful legs after a certain distance, relieved by sitting or walking bent forward, is the typical picture of a narrowed spinal canal. Not urgent, but very treatable.
Mechanical back or buttock pain
Pain that does not radiate below the knee usually comes from joints or muscles, not from a nerve. GP and physiotherapy first. If it lasts longer than 6 weeks, or radiating pain or weakness appears, a consultation is worthwhile.
Possible cauda equina syndrome
This combination can mean pressure on the nerve bundle at the bottom of the spinal cord. This is an emergency: go to the emergency department today or call 112. Do not wait for an appointment.
Nothing fits? See the treatments overview.
Tingling or numb handsCarpal tunnel · ulnar compression · cervical disc · myelopathy
Which fingers tingle, and when?
The pattern across the fingers tells the most.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Night-time tingling in the thumb, index and middle finger fits compression of the median nerve at the wrist. An EMG confirms it; a splint or a small procedure under local anaesthetic usually solves it.
Ulnar nerve compression (elbow)
Tingling in the little and ring finger that increases with a bent elbow fits compression of the ulnar nerve. An EMG locates the site; with weakness in the hand, acting in time matters.
Cervical disc herniation (radiculopathy)
Tingling that comes with neck or shoulder pain and increases with neck movement points to a nerve root in the neck rather than the wrist. An MRI of the neck settles it.
Cervical stenosis with myelopathy
Clumsy hands on both sides, especially together with stiff legs or unsteady walking, can mean pressure on the spinal cord in the neck. This does not recover by itself; a consultation within a few weeks is advised.
Polyneuropathy
Symmetrical tingling in hands and feet fits a disorder of the nerve endings themselves (for instance with diabetes or vitamin B12 deficiency), not a compression. Your GP and a neurologist are the right address.
Nothing fits? See the treatments overview.
Difficulty walkingLumbar stenosis · cervical stenosis · hydrocephalus
What does walking feel like?
Choose what fits best.
Lumbar spinal stenosis
The classic picture of neurogenic claudication from a narrowed canal in the lower back. Very treatable, usually without urgency.
Cervical stenosis with myelopathy
Stiff legs together with clumsy hands points to the spinal cord in the neck, not the back. This often worsens insidiously; a consultation within a few weeks is advised.
Normal-pressure hydrocephalus
Shuffling, wide-based walking, urinary urgency and forgetfulness form a recognisable triad that is often mistaken for “just getting older”. It is treatable; an MRI and a trial lumbar puncture settle it.
Possible stroke
Sudden weakness on one side of the body, a drooping mouth or speech problems are signs of a stroke. Every minute counts: call 112.
Dizziness or balance problem
Dizziness without pain or weakness usually comes from the inner ear, blood pressure or medication. GP, then ENT or neurologist if needed.
Nothing fits? See the treatments overview.
Pain from the neck into the armCervical disc · cervical stenosis · shoulder
How does the pain radiate?
Choose what fits best.
Cervical disc herniation (radiculopathy)
Pain running down the arm into specific fingers and increasing with neck movement fits a nerve root trapped in the neck. Often recovers with time and physiotherapy; with weakness or persistent pain, surgery is possible.
Cervical stenosis with myelopathy
Symptoms on both sides with stiff legs point to the spinal cord itself. A consultation within a few weeks is advised.
Shoulder problem
Pain mainly on lifting the arm that does not respond to neck movement usually comes from the shoulder joint or tendons. GP, physiotherapy or orthopaedics.
Warning signs with neck pain
Fever, unexplained weight loss or night pain that does not stop do not belong to an ordinary disc problem. Have your GP check this within days; imaging is then usually needed.
Nothing fits? See the treatments overview.
Headache that does not go awayWhen imaging is needed · tumours · hydrocephalus · head injury
How did the headache start?
The course says more than the severity.
Thunderclap headache
A headache that is maximal within seconds must be examined the same day to rule out a haemorrhage. Call 112 or go straight to the emergency department.
New, progressive headache
A headache that is new, gradually increases and comes with morning nausea or neurological symptoms calls for an MRI. The explanation is usually reassuring, but this is the pattern in which a tumour or raised pressure must be ruled out.
Normal-pressure hydrocephalus
The walking–memory–bladder triad is treatable and often missed. An MRI and a trial lumbar puncture settle it.
Headache after a head injury
Especially on blood thinners, in older people or with increasing drowsiness or confusion, a CT scan is required. Go to the emergency department; call 112 if drowsy or vomiting.
Migraine or tension-type headache
A headache with a fixed pattern for years is almost never surgical. Your GP and a neurologist can treat the attacks well. If the pattern changes suddenly, choose “new for a few weeks” above.
Nothing fits? See the treatments overview.
A lump along a nervePeripheral nerve tumours · what does not come from the nerve
What do you notice about the lump?
Choose what fits best.
Peripheral nerve tumour (schwannoma)
A slow-growing, mobile lump that gives tingling when tapped (Tinel’s sign) is usually a benign schwannoma. An MRI confirms it; removal with preservation of the nerve is possible.
Neurofibromas
Several soft lumps fit neurofibromas. Only those that hurt, grow or hinder a nerve are treated; a neurologist follows the whole picture.
Warning signs with a lump
A hard, fixed or fast-growing lump, especially with night pain, should be examined and imaged by your GP within days.
Ganglion cyst
A soft, painless lump at the wrist is usually a ganglion, a fluid-filled sac from a joint or tendon. GP or hand surgeon.
Nothing fits? See the treatments overview.