A slipped disc, also known as a herniated disc, occurs when a piece of the disc nucleus comes out of the annulus through a tear and pushes into the spinal cord. This condition is often very painful and requires the right diagnosis and treatment for the patient to find relief and heal.
Cause Of Herniated Disc
In most cases, a herniated disc results from age-related wear and tear known as disc degeneration. Degeneration of the discs occurs as you age because the discs become less flexible. Less flexibility leaves the discs vulnerable to tearing and rupture.
Aging discs are more prone to injury from even a minor twist or strain on the back. It's not uncommon for the suffer to not know the cause of herniated disc.
Herniated Disc Pain
Herniated discs are extremely painful, and the pain isn't isolated in the back. In most cases, the pain from the ruptured disc spreads to the buttocks and down to one thigh and even into the calf on the affected side.
Some people experience pain in both legs and complain of a numb, tingly feeling in their feet. The pain is usually worse while the person is active and feels better with rest.
Herniated Disc Treatment
Usually, the herniated disc heals on its own with time, if the patient follows a treatment plan and rests. The treatment plan can include all or some of the following:
- Physical therapy
- Exercise
- Gentle stretching
- Ice and heat
- Chiropractic care
- NSAIDs to reduce pain
Most people don't need surgery and the symptoms usually improve in about six weeks. If the pain doesn't improve after following a treatment plan, surgery may be an option.
Herniated Disc Surgery
If your pain doesn't improve with treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. There are some signs you may need surgery, such as:
- Symptoms lasting longer than 6 weeks
- An inability to do normal daily activities
- The failure of other treatments
- A worsening of symptoms
Success rates for surgery are good. It has a high success rate for relieving pain and allowing the patient to feel immediate relief. The nerves take weeks or months to heal completely, depending on the patient. However, this discomfort is generally minimal.
If you are suffering from pain and cannot perform normal daily activities, you should contact doctors offering herniated disc treatment services. These doctors can help you understand your herniated disc treatment options and when or if surgery may be a good option for you based on your symptoms.
