Skip to content
🐣 10% discount with code: PÅSK2026 🐣
Registered healthcare provider – safe and secure
Wide range of MRI and blood tests

Herniated disc

A common back problem that can cause pain, numbness and stiffness – often especially in the lower back or neck – could be due to a condition called a herniated disc. Learn more about the symptoms, causes and treatment here.

MRI Cervical spine

MRI Cervical spine

Magnetic resonance imaging

5 395 kr

10% discount on testmottagningen.se with the code: PÅSK2026 Health checks for increased well-being

Go to the campaign Browse healthchecks

Contents

Quick version

What is a herniated disc?

Between the vertebrae of the spine are soft discs that act as shock absorbers. In people with a herniated disc, part of the disc is pushed out – often backwards – and can then irritate or press on a nerve. When this happens, symptoms occur.

A herniated disc can occur throughout the spine, but is most common in:

Common symptoms of a herniated disc

How a herniated disc feels varies depending on where in the back it is located and whether it affects a nerve. Here are common symptoms:

Symptoms of a herniated disc in the lumbar spine

  • Lower back pain, often on one side
  • Pain that radiates down the leg (sciatica)
  • Numbness or tingling in the leg and foot
  • Difficulty bending forward or sitting for a long time
  • Sometimes weakness in the leg

Symptoms of a herniated disc with nerve damage (pinched nerve)

  • Sharp, electrical pain in the arm or leg
  • Numbness in areas of skin that the nerve affects
  • Weakness in muscles connected to the nerve
  • Impaired reflexes

If you have difficulty controlling urine or stool – contact your healthcare provider directly.

Symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck

  • Pain in the neck that radiates to the shoulder or arm
  • Tingling, numbness or weakness in the arm
  • Headache or stiffness in the neck

Why do you get a herniated disc?

A herniated disc can occur for several different reasons, both external factors and heredity:

  • Aging - as you age, the discs become drier and more fragile
  • Heavy, incorrect lifting
  • Poor posture or static work
  • Overweight and inactivity
  • Hereditary predisposition

When should you seek medical attention care?

Contact care if:

  • You have persistent pain in your back, neck or leg/arm
  • You experience numbness or muscle weakness
  • The pain affects your everyday life
  • You suspect sciatica or a herniated disc

How to find out if you have a herniated disc

Do you have symptoms that you suspect may be due to a herniated disc? The first step is to make an appointment with a doctor or physiotherapist who will perform a clinical examination. They will perform a physical examination and test your mobility, sensation and reflexes to assess whether a nerve may be affected.

If the symptoms are clear or if the diagnosis needs to be confirmed, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the area may be appropriate. MRI can see the discs, nerves and any compression – it is a very reliable method for detecting herniated discs.

If necessary, other tests or imaging diagnostics, such as CT or nerve conduction studies, may also be appropriate.

Related tests and health checks

Skeleton and Joints

MRI Cervical spine

MRI Cervical spine

Magnetic resonance imaging
Marker Icon 1 marker
Information

Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

Call included

Call included, one of our doctors will contact you.
  • MRI Cervical Spine – detailed imaging diagnostics of vertebrae, discs, spinal cord and nerves in the neck.
  • Suitable for pain, numbness, weakness or stiffness in the neck, shoulders and arms.
  • Shows changes that are not detected with regular X-rays – completely without radiation.
  • Fast and safe examination with referral and response from a specialist within a few days.

5 395 kr

MRI Lumbar spine

MRI Lumbar spine

MRI of the lumbar spine
Marker Icon 1 marker
Information

Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

Call included

Call included, one of our doctors will contact you.
  • MRI of the lumbar spine shows vertebrae, discs, nerves and facet joints in detail.
  • Recommended for back pain, sciatica or nerve damage.
  • MRI provides sharp images – completely without radiation.
  • Referral and specialist opinion included.

5 995 kr

Other symptoms

Bilateral foraminal stenosis

The narrowing of the spinal nerve outlets affecting both sides of a specific spinal level simultaneously

Facet Joint Osteoarthritis

facet syndrome or spinal arthritis – refers to the gradual wear and tear of the spine's small joints, leading to pain and restricted movement

Shoulder Impingement

Subacromial Impingement Syndrome – when compressed tissues lead to shoulder pain and reduced mobility

Rhabdomyolysis

The acute destruction of striated muscle cells – It is sometimes colloquially associated with "exertional heatstroke" or "crush syndrome" depending on the cause

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Median nerve compression – a condition where pressure builds up in the narrow passage of the wrist, affecting nerve function and hand strength

Cruciate Ligament Injury

ACL or PCL tear – is a stretch or rupture of the stabilizing bands within the knee

Bone Infection

Osteomyelitis – occurs when microorganisms trigger inflammation that can damage bone tissue and restrict blood flow within the bone

Meniscus Injury

meniscus tear – involves damage to the knee's shock-absorbing cartilage, impacting both mobility and stability

Runner's Knee

ITBS – Runner's knee refers to irritation of the tendon on the lateral side of the knee

Sacroiliitis

SI joint inflammation – the clinical term for inflammation in the sacroiliac joints.

Vertebral Compression Fracture

Spinal compression fracture – a vertebral compression occurs when the vertebral body collapses under pressure

Scoliosis

Understanding scoliosis – also known as spinal curvature or lateral deviation of the spine

Rhabdomyolysis

Serious condition in which muscle tissue breaks down rapidly and can lead to kidney damage and systemic complications

Myalgia

Muscle pain, stiffness or severe tenderness that can give rise to both acute and chronic conditions

Sarcopenia

Condition in which muscle mass, strength, and physical function gradually decline as a result of aging, lifestyle, and biological changes

Frozen shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder is a condition in which the shoulder joint capsule becomes inflamed and stiff, which severely limits mobility.

Rotator cuff tear

A shoulder injury where one or more tendons in the shoulder's rotator cuff tear, affecting strength, mobility, and stability

EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)

Hydrops in the knee – Causes, symptoms and what fluid in the knee joint means

Hydrops in the knee – what does fluid in the knee joint mean?

Tendinosis

Chronic tendon injury due to overload

Spondylarthrosis

Osteoarthritis of the joints of the spine which can cause pain and stiffness

Spinal stenosis

Spinal narrowing – A narrowing of the spinal canal causing nerve compression

Fibromyalgia

"Chronic Widespread Pain (CWP) syndrome" – Heightened pain sensitivity

Restless Legs Syndrome

Willis-Ekbom Disease – is a condition causing uncomfortable sensations and an irresistible urge to move the legs, primarily during periods of inactivity

Osteoporosis

Brittle bone disease - a condition where bones become porous and fragile

Muscle tear

Pulled muscle – A muscle strain involves partial or complete damage to the muscle tissue

Gout

Heel spur

Rheumatoid arthritis

Artros

Arthritis
Cart

The basket is empty.

Hos oss får du tillgång till Sveriges bredaste utbud av blodprov, hälsokontroller och MR – med läkare som alltid granskar dina provsvar.

Select tests
Sampling fee
Total
Sampling fee?

The sample collection fee is a fixed cost that refers to the visit to the clinic where you submit your sample. The fee is not affected by how many tests you have ordered, but varies depending on the order value:

Free sampling fee

For purchases over 1 000 SEK, the sampling fee is included.