Herniated Disc, Types, Traits, Symptoms & Treatment
A herniated disc in the spine is a condition during which a nucleus pulposus is displaced from intervertebral space. It is a common cause of back pain.
Nivedita Dar1 Nov, 2024
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Herniated Disc: a cause of chronic and debilitating neck, back and leg pain. A herniated disk is also known as a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk. It’s one of the most common causes of neck, back and leg pain. A herniated disk is an injury of the spine (backbone). You have a series of bones (vertebrae) in your spine, stretching from the base of your skull to your tailbone. Between your vertebrae are round cushions called disks. The disks act as buffers between your bones, allowing you to bend and move with ease. When one of these disks tears or leaks, it’s called a herniated disk .
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Risk Factors for Disc Herniation
People ages 30 to 50 are most likely to get a herniated disk. The problem affects men twice as often as women. Other risk factors include:- Sitting for long periods in the same position.
- Being overweight.
- Lifting heavy objects.
- Repetitive bending or twisting motions for work, sports or hobbies.
- Smoking.
What causes Disc Herniation?
Disks have soft, gel-like centers and a firmer outer layer, like a jelly doughnut. With time, the outer layer weakens and can crack. A herniated disk happens when the inner “jelly” substance pushes through the crack. The leaked material may press on nearby spinal nerves. Several factors can contribute to a disk rupture, including:- Aging.
- Excessive weight.
- Repetitive motions.
- Sudden strain from improper lifting or twisting.
Symptoms of Disc Herniation
In most cases, low back pain is the first symptom of a herniated disk. This pain may last for a few days, then improve. Other symptoms may include:- Sciatica. This is a sharp, often shooting pain that extends from the buttock down the back of one leg. It is caused by pressure on the spinal nerve.
- Numbness or a tingling sensation in the leg and/or foot
- Weakness in the leg and/or foot
- Loss of bladder or bowel control. This is extremely rare and may indicate a more serious problem called cauda equina syndrome. This condition is caused by the spinal nerve roots being compressed. It requires immediate medical attention.
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Lower back (lumbar region) If the herniated disk is in the lower back , the pain often affects the buttocks, thighs, and calves. Pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the buttocks and down the legs, is known as sciatica .Neck (cervical region)
If the problem occurs in the neck , pain is more likely in the shoulders and arms. A serious herniation in the neck region can also cause stiffness, weakness, and numbn e ss in the legs.Middle back (thoracic region)
A herniated disk in the middle back is likely to cause pain around the location of the herniation. Pain may travel around the rib cage to the front of the body. This is the least common Treatment of Herniated Disc Conservative treatment includes changing activities to stay away from movement that causes pain and taking pain medicines. This treatment relieves symptoms in most people within a few days or weeks.Medications
- Nonprescription pain medicines. If your pain is mild to moderate, your health care professional might recommend nonprescription pain medicine.
- Neuropathic drugs. These drugs affect nerve impulses to decrease pain.
- Muscle relaxers. You might be prescribed these if you have muscle spasms. Sedation and dizziness are common side effects.
- Opioids. If other medicines don't relieve your pain, your health care professional might consider short-term use of opioids. Sedation, nausea, confusion and constipation are possible side effects of these medicines.
- Cortisone injections. This medicine can be injected into the area around the spinal nerves. Spinal imaging can help guide the needle.
Therapy
Your health care team might suggest physical therapy to help with your pain. Physical therapists can show you positions and exercises designed to minimize the pain of a herniated disk. Few people with herniated discs require surgery. If conservative treatments fail to improve your symptoms after six weeks, surgery may be an option, especially if you continue to have:- Poorly controlled pain.
- Numbness or weakness.
- Trouble standing or walking.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control.
Herniated Disk FAQs
What is a Myelogram?
A myelogram is an imaging test where contrast dye is injected into the spinal canal to visualize the spinal cord and nerves. It helps diagnose spinal issues like herniated discs or tumors.
What is Paraplegia?
Paraplegia is paralysis that affects the lower half of the body, typically due to spinal cord injury or disease.
How do Corticosteroids relieve pain?
Corticosteroids reduce inflammation, which helps alleviate pain by decreasing swelling and irritation in affected tissues.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, usually caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. It often affects one side of the body.
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