Disc Herniations
What is Disc Herniation?
The human spine is able to bend and flex due to the soft compressible cushion between the vertebrae known as the intervertebral disc. Discs are located in the neck region (cervical), upper back (thoracic) and lower back (lumbar). The disc itself has a soft center (nucleus) that is contained by layers of thick connective tissue called the annulus. As the spine ages, regrettably beginning in our 20’s, the annulus naturally develops fraying and fissuring and the nucleus can bulge or protrude or even herniate through these weak spots in the containing annulus layers of tissue. It is common and in fact normal to find annular fissures, disc protrusions and herniations in the asymptomatic adult spine. Many research studies have shown these sorts of disc abnormalities in people with no back or leg pain at all. Only 30% of disc herniations are due to a particular injury. Most occur as a matter of bad luck, genetics, and normal aging.
When the disc herniation presses against a spinal nerve or the spinal cord, radiating arm or leg symptoms can occur. This is called “radiculopathy”, and can feel like burning, shooting, or aching pain. Compression or pinching of spinal nerve roots can cause numbness along the distribution of the pinched nerve, weakness of the affected muscles, and loss of muscle reflexes. When the spinal cord itself is compressed, serious neurologic symptoms such as paralysis and loss of bowel and bladder control can occur.
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How is a Disc Herniation Diagnosed?
Your doctor will perform a history and a physical exam, including a neurological exam to check your reflexes, skin sensation, muscle strength, and walking ability. These can provide clues as to whether and where a disc herniation might exist. X-rays are usually performed to determine the extent of any spinal arthritis or disc settling that may have occurred. When radiating arm or leg pain is present for more than 6 weeks, an MRI scan is often indicated to precisely diagnose the problem. When spinal deformity such as scoliosis is present, or in cases involving prior spinal fusion surgery, other imaging tests may also be needed to reach a clear diagnosis.
How are Herniated Discs Treated?
Fortunately, conservative treatment options are usually enough to remedy pain and mobility issues associated with herniated discs. In fact, around 70% - 80% of people with a new disc herniation and new symptoms will notice that their symptoms drastically improve or even resolve within 6 – 8 weeks, even when there is no treatment. Your doctor will likely recommend modifying your daily activities for a few days short time and may prescribe medication for the pain.
Nonprescription drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen may be the only medication necessary, but doctors may prescribe drugs like opioids, neuropathic drugs, or muscle relaxers if nonprescription drugs are ineffective. If the pain does not subside by 6 weeks, even after taking medication, your doctor may recommend cortisone injections. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the protruding portion of the disk and relieve the pain caused by the compressed nerve.
The best way to describe my experience is to say that when I first went to Sonoran spine in August, my lower back pain was between a six and an eight. After the treatment that I finished last week, it is now between 0 and 2. That speaks volumes for this place, and I would recommend them to anybody who has suffered with lower back pain for years as I have.
What Can I Expect After Treatment?
In the nonsurgical treatment of herniated discs, your doctor may recommend physical therapy, stretching, and muscle-strengthening exercises to help heal the affected area and prevent future injury. Additionally, heat and ice treatment can reduce pain and inflammation. If your doctor performed surgery to alleviate pain from the herniated disc, recovery may take a few to several weeks and typically has a better than 90% success rate.
Contact Our Arizona Spine Specialists for Herniated Disc Treatment
If you’re suffering from a herniated disc, contact our orthopedic spine specialists in Arizona for a noninvasive or surgical treatment plan. We can help ease your back pain and help you live a more comfortable and mobile life.
Disc Herniations Providers
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Success stories
Dear Jan,
If every health care worker were as kind, smart and generous as you are, the medical world would be filled with smiles and laughter. I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to review my MRI with you. Your ability to share your expertise with me put my mind at ease. I have no doubt that Dr. Crandall knows how lucky he is to have you as part of his team.
Thanks for giving me confidence in the face of a large herniated disc. “Knowledge is power” and I will be forever grateful that you were so generous in sharing your expertise.
I want to thank Dr. Michael Chang and his P.A Mara Immediato. Dr. Chang did a Lumbar spine fusion and laminectomy revision on me August 7th. I was suffering debilitating chronic pain for 8 years. I had been in pain management for over 5 years. I had been to 5 surgeons and they all said not to do the fusion surgery as it wouldn't help me. The pain management I was with did every procedure they could do to try relieve my pain, all failed.
I'm so grateful to Dr. Chang for believing that the fusion would help me, he even told me he was 80% sure he could get me to 50% pain relief, and he was right! I feel so much better! I'm 6 weeks post op and I feel better than I have in 8 years. Thank you Dr. Chang and Mara for changing my life for the better! I highly recommend Sonoran Spine!