Objective To explore the value of CT and MRI in the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation and different types of lumbar disc herniation, and provide guidance for clinical surgical treatment. Methods 65 patients with lumbar disc herniation were retrospectively collected in our hospital. CT and MRI examination were used before surgery, 28 cases were confirmed RLDH and 37 cases were confirmed lumbar disc herniation. Compare the detection accuracy and discriminating value on different kind of lumbar disc herniation according to operation result. Results In the intervertebral disc bulge and disc image, protrusion of intervertebral disc, intervertebral disc free, intervertebral disc nodules, MRI and CT detection rate had no difference (P>0.05), on the protrusion of intervertebral disc and total, MRI detection results were significantly higher than those in CT (P<0.05). CT was superior to MRI (P＜0.01) in the diagnosis of calcification and product gas. The positive rate of MRI was superior to CT (P<0.05) in the diagnosis of lumbar disc degeneration, spinal cord degeneration, and the diagnosis of nerve root compression (P>0.05). On ectopic nucleus, enormous prominent, sharp posterior angle, fuzzy boundary, CT positive rate in the RLDH were 78% and 82%, 42%, 75%, the positive rate in the LDH respectively 8%, 13%, 10%, 32%, there is a significant difference (P<0.01). The positive rates of MRI were 5%, 21%, 56%, 0%, 21% and 82% respectively (P<0.05) in RLDH positive rate of85% and 89%, respectively. Conclusion MRI and CT have different advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation. CT has its advantages in observing lumbar intervertebral disc location、shape、density. MRI clearly shows the structure of the spinal canal.