DISC HERNIATION

WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?

The disc serves as a shock absorbing cushion between the bones in your spine. Injury of the disc may lead to compression of spinal nerves. Additionally, herniation of the disc space may result in an inflammatory reaction.  Compression of nerve tissue can present as radiating pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities.  Most importantly, herniations can also cause neck and low back pain.

WHAT CAUSES A HERNIATED DISC?

Disc herniation can occur due to:

  • Age-related degeneration of the spine
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Trauma (Slip & Fall/Motor Vehicle Accident/Physical Injury)
  • Hereditary anomaly

WHAT DOES A HERNIATED DISC FEEL LIKE?

Some of the symptoms associated with disc herniations are as follows:

  • Neck Pain
  • Low Back Pain
  • Radiating pain, numbness, and/or tingling into arms and legs
  • Difficulty walking
  • Muscle Atrophy

The range and diversity of these symptoms depend on the severity of the injury.

HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE IT?

The first step to properly diagnosing a herniated disc is to obtain a complete medical history.

This history may include your physician asking about your signs and symptoms and conducting a physical examination. This may be enough for your physician to properly diagnose you.

If there remains a question, imaging studies may have to be done in order to definitively ascertain the condition. To learn more about what imaging studies may be right for you, click here. 

The image to the right represents what a Disc Herniation appears like on an MRI

MRI of Disc Herniation in Neck
Disc Herniation on an MRI

HOW DO YOU TREAT IT?

Generally, it is advised to have conservative care as a first line treatment option for most spinal related conditions.  This may include but not limited to physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen or naproxen), therapeutic cervical traction, chiropractic care, and epidural steroid injections.

Lastly, when conservative methods fail to improve patient’s symptoms or the patient’s condition is too severe to treat conservatively due to jeopardy of nerve injury, then surgical treatment options are recommended.