The vertebrae that stretch from your neck to lower back are each buffered by round cushions called discs. The discs in your spine allow for easy fluid movement of the back, but over time they can degenerate and slip. This slippage, or herniation, usually occurs in the lower back, but can happen anywhere along the spine.
Around 3 million American suffer from a herniated disc every year. Herniated discs, more commonly called slipped or ruptured discs, is a common back injury affecting the spine and nervous system. The condition occurs when one of the discs that cushion the spinal vertebrae slips or moves out of place. This often leads to the irritation of spinal nerves, resulting in pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg.
If you or a loved one are suffering from pain or tingling caused by a herniated disc, you can rely on our excellent team at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Interventional Pain Medicine and Neuroscience to provide you with high-quality care and pain management so you can get back to pain-free living.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
The symptoms of a herniated disc can vary depending on what area of your spine is affected. Severity of pain or numbness can also range in different cases. Typically, there are two major areas where symptoms occur, the lower back and neck. Some common symptoms of a herniated disc may include:
Lower Back Symptoms:
- Radiating pain down one or both legs (sciatica)
- Numbness or tingling in the legs, feet and buttocks
- Weakened muscles in the legs
- Shooting or stabbing pain in the lower back
- Muscle spasms
Neck Symptoms:
- Pain in the back or sides of the neck
- Pain between or near the shoulder blades
- Pain that extends from the shoulders to the hands and fingers
- Increased pain levels when bending or turning the neck
- Numbness and tingling in the neck and arms
- Headaches or facial swelling
What causes a herniated disc?
As we age, the discs in the spine begin to gradually weaken and degenerate from extended use. Most people that experience a herniated disc can’t determine the exact cause, but typically it is the result of unusual or demanding movement. When the discs in the spine get worn down, activities that involve heavy lifting or quick twisting can cause them to rupture. Some common causes of ruptured discs include:
- Aging: Aging is usually the contributing factor to disc herniation, as discs begin to degrade and weaken over time.
- Injuries: Traumatic injuries like car accidents or a fall often cause disc herniation.
- Certain motions: Repetitive movements like bending, lifting or twisting can cause disc herniation.
Who’s at risk for a herniated disc?
While anyone can have a herniated disc, it happens to certain people more than others. Some of the risk factors that increase the chances of herniating a disc may include:
- Carrying excess body weight in the lower back
- Being 30 years of age or above
- Having a physically demanding occupation
- Having a family history of herniated discs
- Having a history of smoking
- Being seated frequently for long periods of time
How is a herniated disc diagnosed?
If you and your doctor suspect you may have a herniated disc, they will likely perform in-office physical and neurological exams. The combination of your described symptoms and the results of your examinations is typically all that is necessary for a herniated disc diagnosis.
If your provider is unsure that your pain is being caused by a ruptured disc, or needs to locate the specific nerves being affected, they may perform one of the following tests:
- Computed tomography (CT) Scan: Your doctor may perform a CT scan to ensure that your symptoms are not being caused by a spinal fracture or abnormalities rather than a herniated disc.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test creates images of the internal spine structure, and can help locate the herniated disc and affected nerves.
- Electromyogram (EMG): An EMG test can help determine if a nerve is being pinched by a herniated disc.
- Nerve conduction study: This test helps determine the location and severity of the nerve damage being done by a herniated disc.
How is a herniated disc treated?
Depending on the severity of your symptoms and location of your herniated disc, your healthcare provider may suggest different treatment options. In most cases herniated disc pain can be treated with at-home remedies such as rest, cold or hot compresses and taking over-the-counter pain medications. While these options work for many cases, herniated disc pain and complications frequently persist. If your symptoms don’t get better despite at-home relief efforts, it is important to get seen by a medical provider.
Medication
For herniated disc symptoms that don’t improve with basic care, our experts at NGPG Interventional Pain Medicine have solutions. NGPG Pain Medicine offers a variety of pain management options for those suffering from acute and chronic pain. Your doctor will work in conjunction with your other providers to develop a treatment plan to reduce your symptoms. Some of the treatment options for herniated disc include:
- Cortisone injection: Cortisone injections, also known as steroid injections are used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by a herniated disc.
- Muscle relaxers: Muscle relaxants lessen muscle pain and spasms caused by herniated disks, especially those in the lower back.
- Prescription pain medications: Prescription pain medications may be prescribed for a short-term basis to relieve severe pain associated with a herniated disk. Follow your doctor’s instructions closely when taking any pain medication, such as an opioid.
Surgery
If your pain caused by a herniated disc do not respond to interventional treatment or are causing neurologic damage, your doctor may refer you to an NGPG Neurosurgeon. There are several surgical options used to treat disc herniation when other therapies are unsuccessful. Some surgical options used to treat a herniated disc may include:
- Discectomy: This surgical option involves the removal of all damaged parts of the disc. NGPG Neurosurgery specializes in discectomy for treatment of herniated discs.
- Microdiscectomy: This is a minimally invasive surgical option involving the removal of small fragments of disc, ligament and bone to decrease pressure on affected the nerves.
Choose NGPG for Herniated Disc Treatment
If you or a loved one are suffering from pain or numbness related to a herniated disc, receiving treatment from a well-informed and connected care team is essential. At NGPG, our specialists in Neurology, Interventional Pain Medicine and Neurosurgery provide high-quality diagnosis and care for those suffering from a herniated disc.