If I have a herniated disc, won't I need surgery?
Chronic Back Pain & Chronic Neck Pain QuestionsA herniated disc is not a catastrophe. Annoying, certainly, but a condition with a favorable natural history. Many people feel that this is a serious injury that always needs an operation. In fact, over 90% of people who herniate a disc go on to uneventful recoveries without surgery and do quite well. A famous study done in 1983 compared patients with surgically treated herniated discs with similar patients treated non-operatively (Reference 1).
Related QuestionsIF I NEED SURGERY FOR A LUMBAR HERNIATED DISC WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Orthopaedic Associates-Frequently Asked QuestionsMost disc surgery involves a small incision in the back, a 45-90 minute surgery and usually a one day hospitalization.
Related QuestionsShould I have surgery for a herniated disc?
Herniated DiscA herniated disc usually is caused by wear and tear of the disc (also called disc degeneration). As we age, our vertebral discs lose some of the fluid that helps them maintain flexibility. A herniated disc also may result from injuries to the spine, which may cause tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer (annulus or capsule) of the disc.
Related QuestionsLow Back Pain, SVCMC; New York NYMost low back pain is triggered by some combination of overuse, muscle strain, and injury to the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support the spine. Many experts believe that over time muscle strain can lead to an overall imbalance in the spinal structure. This leads to a constant tension on the muscles, ligaments, bones, and discs, making the back more prone to injury or reinjury. The causes of pain in the low back, or lumbosacral region, tend to add on to one another.Related Questions
Do I need surgery for my herniated disk?
Non-Surgical Frequently Asked QuestionsThe majority of patients (95 percent) with a herniated disc will recover within twelve weeks. The recovery process can be made less symptomatic through conservative measures outlined above. In those that do not improve, surgery for a herniated disc can relieve the arm or leg pain, but it cannot prevent future spine problems.
Related QuestionsWhat is a herniated disc?
Center for Spine Care - Frequently Asked Questions About Bac...A weakening of the disc wall, which we call the annulus, causes a herniated disc. The defect in the disc wall allows the central portion of the disc, called the nucleus, to be displaced from the central portion of the disc out into the spinal canal. The shape or the morphology of the disc herniation can vary. It can be just a slight focal defect in the disc wall, or the herniation may go trough the entire disc wall.
Related QuestionsChris Urban M.D.A herniated disc is an intervertebral disc that has an incompetent outer layer, called the annulus. Due to the weak surrounding architecture, it is possible for the inner disc material to squeeze out of the disc. Depending on the size and location of the herniated fragment, a patient may or may not become symptomatic. If the herniated disc material presses against a nerve root, it could cause leg pain or numbness.Related Questions
Advantage Health and Wellness CenterHerniated Disc is a generic term for more specific derangements. They are classified either as a bulge, protrusion or extrusion depending on the size, extent and location of the problem.Related Questions
Herniated DiscThe bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc. It may also be called a slipped or ruptured disc. You can have a herniated disc in any part of your spine. But most herniated discs affect the lower back (lumbar spine).Related Questions
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
Back Pain Frequently Asked Questions - Back Pain FAQ'sTypically, a herniated disc causes radiating leg symptoms. Generally, this is what people refer to as sciatica or radiculopathy. The herniated disc is defined by a disc where the outer lining has been torn, and the inner soft disc material has expressed out of the tear and compressed the adjacent nerve roots. This pressure on the nerve roots tends to cause not only low back pain but leg pain, as well.
Related QuestionsChris Urban M.D.A herniated disc is sometimes preceded by intermittent attacks of low back pain. When a disc herniation occurs, it often produces sciatica, which is pain that begins in the hip or buttock and extends down the leg. The pain may be associated with weakness, numbness, or burning in the leg and foot. Sitting, coughing, or sneezing often aggravates these symptoms. In rare circumstances a large disc herniation may cause difficulty with bowel or bladder control.Related Questions
What is the Treatment for a Herniated Disc?
Chris Urban M.D.There are several treatment options for a herniated disc. A nonoperative approach is successful in treating many small disc herniations. This includes a short period of rest followed by a conditioning program to improve muscle strength and aerobic conditioning. A variety of modalities are available to relieve the acute pain associated with a disc herniation. These include anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and oral steroids.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc?
Center for Spine Care - Frequently Asked Questions About Bac...A bulging disc represents degenerative disc disease. The disc is showing signs of wear-and-tear. It is losing some of its fluid content and therefore, it is drying out. As it dries out, the disc tends to decrease in height, or it starts to settle. As it does this, the wall of the disc tends to bulge or buckle outward. It generally bulges in a symmetric manner, much like the side walls of a deflated automobile tire would tend to bulge outward in a symmetric fashion.
Related QuestionsBack Pain Frequently Asked Questions - Back Pain FAQ'sthe disc undergoes the natural process of degeneration, it loses the ability to retain the hydration necessary to support the spine. The result is a diffuse bulging similar to a tire that loses air pressure. In the case of the disc it is loss of hydraulic pressure. Another consequence of the degenerative process is the development of fissures or cracks that result from the desiccation of the disc.Related Questions
Chris Urban M.D.Loss of the normal structural integrity of the intervertebral disc can lead to either a bulging or herniated disc shape. Bulging discs are very common and develop in most individuals as we age. A disc bulge is a diffuse symmetrical swelling of the disc and is caused by early disc degeneration and collapse. Bulging discs rarely cause symptoms unless associated with spinal stenosis. In contrast, a herniated disc is one in which the outer layer of the disc, called the annulus, is incompetent.Related Questions
I have back pain and an MRI showing a disc has herniated. Do I need surgery?
Disc Herniations in the Lumbar Spine: Frequently Asked Quest...This is an excellent question, and there is a good answer. There are four reasons to seek a surgical solution: Cauda Equina Syndrome, a disorder affecting a bundle of spinal nerve roots, which is extremely rare and requires urgent surgery. This syndrome includes back and leg pain, weakness and numbness, and may be associated with problems with bladder and bowel function. Progressive strength loss.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between a slipped disc, a herniated disc or a bulging disc?
BodyZone -- Frequently Asked QuestionsThey are all the same thing. A herniated, slipped or bulging disc is like a bubble in the sidewall of a car tire. The jelly in the center of the disc pushes the weakened part of the disc outwards creating a bulge. This bulge can press on a nerve or other delicate spinal structures.
Related QuestionsMRI shows I have a disc problem. Do I need surgery?
Chiropractic Care, Acupuncture, & Massage Therapy. Austi...Over half of normal adults with no symptoms will have a disc problem show on their MRI. Although each case is different, most problems respond well to conservative therapies such as chiropractic and massage. It's your body. View surgery as a LAST resort.
Related QuestionsAdvantage Health and Wellness CenterOver half of normal adults with no symptoms will have some type of disc problem show on their MRI. Although each case is different, most problems respond well to conservative therapies such as chiropractic, massage and exercise. It’s your body. View surgery as a LAST resort.Related Questions
What if the MRI Scan shows a herniated disc? What do I do then?
Low Back Pain Q&AIf you have a herniated disk, you should see a spine specialist. The doctor will first diagnose the cause of the problem. Unless there is severe pain or weakness, conservative care will usually be recommended. Exercise and pain medications are used first. Chiropractic or acupuncture may be helpful. If these do not help, a steroid shot may be advised. Surgery is usually the last resort.
Related QuestionsWhat causes a herniated disc?
Herniated DiscInjury to the spine. This may cause tiny tears or cracks in the hard outer layer of the disc. When this happens, the gel inside the disc can be forced out through the tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. This causes the disc to bulge, break open, or break into pieces.
Related QuestionsHow is a herniated disc diagnosed?
Herniated DiscYour doctor may diagnose a herniated disc by asking questions about your symptoms and examining you. If your symptoms clearly point to a herniated disc, you may not need tests. Sometimes a doctor will do tests such as an MRI or a CT scan to confirm a herniated disc or rule out other health problems.
Related QuestionsCan a herniated disc be prevented?
Herniated DiscAfter you have hurt your back, you are more likely to have back problems in the future. To help keep your back healthy: Protect your back when you lift. For example, lift with your legs, not your back. Don't bend forward at the waist when you lift. Bend your knees and squat. Use good posture. When you stand or walk, keep your shoulders back and down, your chin back, and your belly in. This will help support your lower back.
Related QuestionsWhat is a herniated disc and does it require surgery?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSA disc is a structure of cartilage, shaped a bit like a doughnut, that acts as a shock absorber between two bones - allowing a full range of motion. The disc is composed largely of water. As we age, there is water loss. However, a sudden pressure caused by improper lifting or even bad posture can also cause the disc to rupture. Rest and pain medication usually will heal the disc naturally.
Related Questions