Your doctor will ask about your past health and do a physical exam. If this suggests that you have a herniated disc, you probably won't need other tests. But if your doctor needs more information, you may have an MRI or a CT scan. Your doctor may order one of these if:

• Your medical history and physical exam suggest a more serious condition (such as a tumor, an infection, or severe nerve damage).
• Your leg pain and other symptoms don't get better after 6 weeks of nonsurgical treatment.

Other tests

Other tests, such as blood tests, may be done to rule out other conditions.

The following tests aren't used as often as an MRI or a CT scan, but they may give your doctor more information:

• An electromyogram and nerve conduction test.
• A myelogram.
• Discography.
• A nerve block.