Disc herniation happens to about 5 to 20 out of every 1,000 adult Americans each year. It is most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50, and it affects men twice as often as women.
A herniated disc can be a painful and debilitating condition, affecting your ability to perform daily activities. Understanding the symptoms of a herniated disc, how it’s diagnosed, and the available treatment options can help you manage this condition effectively.
What is a Herniated Disc?
Your spine is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae, and between each vertebra is a disc. These discs act as cushions, absorbing shock and allowing your spine to move with ease and flexibility. A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like center of a disc pushes through a crack in the tougher outer layer. This can irritate nearby nerves, causing pain and discomfort.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
The symptoms of a herniated disc can vary depending on the location of the problem and its severity.
Some of the symptoms you may experience are:
- Pain: Sharp or burning pain in the back, neck, or down the arms or legs.
- Numbness: Numbness or tingling in the affected area, often radiating into the arms or legs.
- Weakness: Muscles served by the affected nerves can weaken, making it hard to lift or hold items, or affecting your ability to walk.
- Loss of Reflexes: Reduced reflexes at the knee or ankle.
Diagnosing a Herniated Disc
If you suspect you have a herniated disc, it’s important to see an orthopedic doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Here’s how it’s typically diagnosed:
Medical History and Physical Examination
The orthopedic doctor reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam. He may even order other tests to arrive at a diagnosis.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms, such as when they started and any activities that might have caused them. The doctor will check for pain points, muscle strength, reflexes, and range of motion.
Imaging Tests
While X-rays can’t show herniated discs, they can rule out other causes of pain, so your doctor may suggest getting one done.
Another option is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which provides detailed images of your spine, helping to identify the herniated disc and its impact on nearby nerves.
Finally, a CT scan can also be used to get a clear image of the spinal area.
Other Tests
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test that measures the speed at which electrical signals move through your nerves. This test can help determine if a nerve is damaged or compressed, which is often the case with a herniated disc.
Electromyography (EMG) is a test that assesses the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. This test assesses the electrical activity of muscles while they are relaxed and when they are contracting.
Treatment Options for a Herniated Disc
Treatment for a herniated disc varies depending on the severity of the symptoms and the patient’s overall health. Here are some common options:
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Physical Therapy: Exercises and stretches designed by a physical therapist can strengthen the muscles around your spine, improving flexibility and reducing neck or back pain.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants can help manage pain and swelling associated with herniated discs.
- Epidural Injections: Corticosteroid medication, when injected directly into the epidural space of the spine, decreases swelling and irritation of the nerves caused by the herniated disc.
Surgical Treatments
To correct issues affecting the structure of the spine, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend one of the following:
1. Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF)
This is a common surgical procedure used to treat herniated discs in the cervical spine, or the neck area. During this surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision in the front of the neck to remove the herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve.
The empty space left by the removed disc is then filled with a bone graft or a special device to stabilize the spine, and over time, this area fuses into a single solid piece of bone, providing pain relief and stability.
2. Microdiscectomy
A microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgery used to treat herniated discs in the lumbar spine or lower back. The surgeon makes a small incision and uses a microscope to remove the portion of the herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve.
3. Laminectomy
A laminectomy is another surgical option for treating herniated discs in the lumbar spine. In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the lower back and removes the lamina, the part of the vertebra that covers the spinal canal. The removal creates more space, relieving pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
When to See a Back Specialist
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a herniated disc, it’s important to seek medical attention from a back specialist. Symptoms will only get worse with time, so it is best to seek a professional’s advice as soon as symptoms appear.
Back Specialist in Hartford County, CT & Springfield, MA
Dr. David Kruger is our board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeon at Advanced Orthopedics New England. Dr. Kruger leads our talented spinal surgery team and is a recognized name in spine care. You can trust him with your neck or back pain.
For any questions or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kruger, call our office today at (860) 728-6740. We are happy to serve the residents of Enfield, Bloomfield, Rocky Hill, and Vernon, Connecticut, as well as Springfield, Massachusetts.
