Herniated Disc Column
Herniated Disc
Herniated disc is a common but often overlooked condition that can occur in people of all ages and backgrounds, although it is more frequently found in older populations. The term describes a condition in which one of the intervertebral discs tears or ruptures, allowing the soft inner layer to escape and leak into the spinal canal or surrounding tissue.
Herniated Disc Causes
The intervertebral discs allow for movement and flexibility in the back and cushion vertebrae, protecting the bones from the effects of harsh impact and strenuous exercises. A healthy spinal disc consists of two layers: a tough outer layer and a soft inner layer. Herniated disc is a condition in which this outer layer tears and allows the soft layer to ooze out.
Herniated Disc Treatment
If you're suffering from symptoms of a herniated disc, finding treatment is likely at the forefront of your mind. However, there are many options you can choose from, and it can be difficult to determine which methods best suit your personal needs. A doctor is the only one who can prescribe treatment, and you will want to consult with your physician before trying any treatment, since some methods may end up hurting more than they help depending on your condition. Regardless, researching methods of alleviating symptoms is a productive step and can help you better work with your doctor to figure out the most effective regimen.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
Herniated disc symptoms are caused when an intervertebral disc splits open and the internal material spills out, putting pressure on a nerve root or the spinal cord. These structures are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to and from the body and brain, and when they are impinged upon, they are unable to perform this task properly.
Herniated disc symptoms are only present in a minority of cases. In fact, most people with a herniated disc are unaware they even have the condition because it has not progressed to the point where a nearby nerve root or the spinal cord are compressed. However, for the people that do experience them, the symptoms are often debilitating and can even diminish their quality of life.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
Herniated Disc Surgery
Herniated disc surgery is a treatment for ruptured discs that is reserved for only the most severe cases. Surgical treatment is usually only recommended for patients who have been suffering from the condition for an extended period of time and those who have symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life.
Herniated Disc Diagnosis
When you're suffering from symptoms due to a herniated disc, obtaining an accurate diagnosis is of the utmost importance. Your treatment will depend on the specifics of your condition, and understanding exactly what is causing the symptoms will help your doctor create the most efficient treatment plan.
Herniated disc diagnosis generally includes three steps:
Herniation of Discs
A herniated disc is a condition in which an intervertebral disc, or more specifically the tough cartilaginous outer layer of a disc known as the annulus fibrosis, breaks open and the gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus oozes out, sometimes into the spinal canal or foramen in the vertebrae. When it does leak into one of these areas, it can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, and this constriction of nerves can result in pain and other symptoms such as:
Degenerative Disc Disease
A natural part of the aging process, degenerative disc disease refers to the slow breaking down of spinal discs due to wear and tear. As the body gets older, the spinal discs begin to lose water, making them more brittle and susceptible to damage. Over time, this can lead to conditions such as bulging or herniated disc, both of which can develop slowly over time or quickly due to sudden trauma.
Bulging Disc - What Is It?
A healthy spinal disc is made up of two layers: the soft, jelly-like inner layer known as the nucleus pulposus, and the thick, fibrous outer layer known as the annulus fibrosus. A bulging disc is a condition in which the outer layer becomes weakened, and the pressure from the inner layer forces it to “bulge” outward in a certain area, expanding the outer later beyond its normal boundaries. Usually, the extrusion does not cause any symptoms because it isn’t severe enough to press into the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Ruptured Disc - What Is It?
Ruptured disc is a condition in which one of the intervertebral discs that cushion vertebrae splits, with the thick outer layer allowing the jelly-like inner layer to leak into the spinal canal. In many cases, this condition causes no symptoms because the inner layer does not put pressure on the spinal cord or any nearby nerve roots.
Herniated Cervical Disc
A herniated cervical disc is located in the cervical section of the spine of the upper back and neck, which includes vertebrae C1-C7.
Herniated Disc Exercises
Whether you’re suffering from chronic symptoms or trying to ease those of a newly developed condition, herniated disc exercises can help.
Treatments for Herniated Disc
Treatments for herniated disc can vary depending on the sufferer’s age, physical condition, severity of symptoms, and much more. Most of the time, however, herniated discs heal naturally over time, and conservative treatments are able to relieve the sufferer’s pain enough to allow for a normal life.
Herniated Disc MRI
A herniated disc MRI is an invaluable tool in the quest to achieve relief from the pain and other symptoms that can be caused by this condition. An MRI not only reveals the location of your ruptured spinal disc, but it also gives your doctor an idea of how severe the condition is and even why it is causing you pain. With the detailed diagnosis from this scan, your doctor can then treat you more efficiently.
Herniated Lumbar Disc - What Is It?
Herniated disc is a condition in which a spinal disc between two vertebrae has ruptured, allowing the jelly-like inner layer of that disc to leak out through the tough, fibrous outer layer. To be classified as a herniated lumbar disc, it must be located in the L1 to L5 section of the spine, otherwise known as the lumbar region or lower back. This area is heavily involved in common activities such as lifting and twisting, making it subject to more stress than other parts of the back. It’s no surprise, then, that this area is where most ruptured discs are located.
Sciatica from a Herniated Disc - Causes and Treatments
Sciatica is a painful condition in which the sciatic nerve in the lower back is compressed by a herniated disc, bulging disc, bone spur, or other tissue. This impingement inhibits the nerve’s ability to properly transmit the electric pulses it uses to communicate with the extremities for which it is responsible - namely the buttocks, backs of the legs, and bottoms of the feet. Because the nerve cannot communicate effectively, the sufferer will experience symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, burning, and pain in the buttocks; behind the thighs, knees, and calves; and on the soles of the feet. In the most severe cases, the person can lose the ability to walk.
Herniated Disc in the Back? Laser Spine Institute Can Help.
If you’ve been suffering from a herniated disc in your back and conservative treatment methods have failed to bring relief, then you’re probably at your wits end. Perhaps your doctor recommended surgery, but you may not be a candidate or don’t want to take the inherent risks or deal with the long hospital stay or recovery time. If this sounds like your situation, then Laser Spine Institute (LSI) can help. We offer a number of minimally invasive, endoscopic procedures that can help you finally get your life back - a life without the debilitating pain and stiffness that a ruptured disc can cause.
Herniated Disc in L5
A herniated disc in the L5 position is one of the most common, since the lumbar region of the spine in which the disc is located is responsible for supporting the upper body’s weight and for lifting and twisting. However, the fact that it’s a frequent ailment doesn’t make the pain and other symptoms it causes any less debilitating.
Herniated Discs
Also frequently referred to as slipped or ruptured discs, herniated discs are spinal discs that have split open, allowing the gel-like inner layer to ooze out. This herniation can be caused by an accident or other physical trauma, as well as simple age-related degeneration. Regardless of the culprit, when a herniated disc impinges upon a nearby nerve root, it can cause pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, and more symptoms in the area of the body controlled by the nerve being compressed.
What is Disc Herniation?
In order to understand disc herniation, it is first necessary to know the structure of a spinal disc. Intervertebral discs are made up of two layers: the outer layer or annulus fibrosus, and the inner layer or nucleus pulposus. The outer layer is a tough, cartilaginous substance, while the inner layer is soft and has the consistency of jelly. The tough outer layer protects and contains the inner layer, and together they serve as the “cushion” between the vertebrae above and below.
Disc Prolapse Symptoms and Treatments
The symptoms of a disc prolapse are primarily the result of nerve compression, making them very similar to those of a lot of other back and neck problems. The numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and pain you feel occur because your prolapsed disc is squeezing into the spinal canal and pressing on nerves. The same thing happens when a disc is herniated or bulging, and nerves are pinched in a similar fashion by bone spurs, stenosis and other conditions. To ensure that your symptoms are treated correctly, your doctor will need to ensure that they are indeed caused by a prolapsed disc.
Prolapsed Disc Treatment Options
Prolapsed disc treatment can range from a simple prescription of stretches and exercises to full-blown open-back or -neck surgery. However, the first step in treating the painful symptoms that accompany this condition is meeting with your doctor. Once your prolapsed disc diagnosis is confirmed, your physician will likely start you on a regimen of conservative, non-invasive treatments that could include physical therapy, over-the-counter medicines, chiropractic care, hot and cold compresses and more. Additionally, some doctors also suggest alternative treatments like massage, acupuncture and yoga. If none of those treatments ease your pain, more aggressive measures will be tried.
Prolapsed Disc Surgery at Laser Spine Institute
If you are considering prolapsed disc surgery, you’ll want to learn more about the procedures we offer at Laser Spine Institute (LSI). Our highly trained surgeons use groundbreaking endoscopic techniques that effectively treat the symptoms of prolapsed discs without causing excessive trauma to the surrounding tissue. That isn’t the case with the traditional, open-back or -neck surgeries that are often performed to treat damaged discs.
Prolapsed Disc, Herniated Disc & Slipped Disc—What’s the Difference?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a prolapsed disc, you may be confused by the variety of other terms used for the condition, including slipped disc or herniated disc. You’ll want to sort out the meanings for each, so you can find the right information you’ll need for treatment and recovery.
Herniated Disc Pain Can Often Be Alleviated with Laser Spine Surgery from LSI
If you’re suffering from the shooting pain that comes from a herniated disc, you’re probably becoming familiar with treatment options. You know that the hot and cold compresses, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, and narcotics recommended by your doctor are meant to address symptoms, but don’t eliminate the cause of your pain. For that, you need surgery to remove the portion of the herniated disc that is placing pressure on nerves and causing inflammation and irritation. If you have reached the point where surgery appears to be your only option for relief, you’re going to want to consider Laser Spine Institute’s minimally invasive surgery.
Herniated Disc Relief in Five Days with Laser Spine Institute
When you suffer from herniated disc symptoms, time can drag on. The pain can make that week leading up to your next spinal steroid injection feel like an eternity. Even sitting through a two-hour movie can seem like forever when pressure on your back feels unbearable. Thankfully, the Laser Spine Institute offers herniated disc patients fast relief to help counteract that relentless, drawn out suffering. How does five days sound? That’s how long it takes us to get you on the road to recovery with a minimally invasive surgery that heals quickly and can provide at least some relief instantly.
Herniated Disc Treatment at LSI Is Backed By Experienced Doctors and a High Success Rate
The first step to choosing the best treatment for your herniated disc is understanding the problem. When a spinal disc pushes its inner filling through the external wall and crowds nerves, it can cause a shooting pain in your arms or legs; make it difficult to sit, stand and/or exercise; and cause general inflammation. So it stands to reason that painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, physical therapy, and other conservative pain management solutions won’t treat the problem. To do that, you’ll need surgery that physically removes the portion of the herniated disc that’s placing pressure on the nerves.
Herniated Disc Sufferers May Be Candidates for Laser Spine Surgery at LSI
Here’s a little known fact: a large percentage of people walk around with herniated discs and yet never experience herniated disc symptoms. However, for the group that does experience herniated disc pain, it can be impossible to ignore. That’s because when these shock absorbing discs slip out of place, the gel-like filling squeezes into the spinal canal and puts pressure on nerves. Additionally, the chemical makeup of the gel-like material can also cause inflammation and irritation. The result is pain that shoots down the arms or legs depending on the location of the herniated disc. It can be a debilitating condition that limits your ability to work, exercise or even sit or stand comfortably for an extended period of time. If you’re experiencing these types of symptoms, you may be a candidate for herniated disc surgery at Laser Spine Institute.
Herniated Disc Symptoms Can Often be Soothed Quickly with Laser Spine Surgery
If you’re suffering with herniated disc symptoms, you know how painful they can be. You could be experiencing pain radiating from the back, through the buttocks and down your legs to the feet. This occurs when the herniated disc - a condition that occurs when the soft cushion between two vertebrae squeezes out of place and into the spinal canal, impinging on the spinal nerve - occurs in the lower portion of your spine, called the lumbar region. If you’ve herniated a disc in the cervical portion of your spine near the neck, than you may experience pain across the shoulders, down your arms and into your fingertips. In either case, simple activities like typing at the computer or walking to the mailbox might be excruciating and exhausting. But you don’t have to resign yourself to a life of painful herniated disc symptoms. Laser Spine Institute offers a minimally invasive procedure for herniated disc symptoms that can have you back to your regular activities in as little as three weeks. And unlike traditional back surgery, it comes with fewer complications.
Herniated Disc Treatment from Laser Spine Institute Can be Safer Than Traditional Surgery
A herniated disc seems like a simple problem: the soft cushion between two of your vertebrae has slipped out of place and is causing pain by pressing on spinal nerves. But traditional herniated disc treatment can be anything but easy. That’s because most doctors will rightly ask you to try more conservative treatments before trying surgery. This could mean months of restricted movement, hot and cold compacts, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and more with little to no results. By then, the pain could be so tiresome that you’ll do anything for some relief. Unfortunately, that may mean a surgeon has to cut into your back through muscle and bone to dislodge the herniated disc. This type of herniated disc treatment comes with a variety of potential complications including an increased risk of infection and a painful recovery while the incised tissue heals. But the medical professionals at Laser Spine Institute would like you to consider something different before submitting to this surgery. We offer a herniated disc treatment that’s much less invasive, making it safer for patients.
Disc Replacement Surgery
Artificial Disc Replacement can be a scary topic for those considering the surgery. The goal of the procedure is to restore the intervertebral disc height while restoring physiologic motion one would have with a healthy disc…
Cervical Herniated Disc - Commonly Termed: Herniated Disc in Neck
One of the most common cervical spine disorders being treated by spine specialists is arm pain caused by a herniated cervical disc or a herniated disc in neck.
The Reason a Lumbar Herniated Disc Causes Pain
With age or sometimes serious injury, the discs in our back will begin to degenerate and as they do they can become prone to disc herniation.
Thoracic Herniated Disc
Like all other herniated disc problems, the cause of a thoracic herniated disc is similar. The soft inner material is pushed through the often degenerated capsule like outer material, placing pressure on a nearby exiting nerve root creating radiating symptoms of pain.
Symptoms of a Herniated disc
A physical examination preformed by your doctor along with a look at your pain history may be all that is required for diagnosis of your herniated disc. You may need to have your muscle reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength evaluated through a neurological examination…
Treatment For Herniated Disc
When treating a herniated disc surgery is usually left as a final option. A herniated disc will often heal with traditional aid in three to six months, but if at the six month mark there is no visual improvement in the patients condition, surgery is considered to avoid the possibility of permanent nerve damage.
Herniated Disc Surgery Procedures
Once conservative herniated disc treatment options have been exhausted, and the patient is still suffering from a lower quality of life caused by a herniated disc, surgery is often discussed. The recommended treatment is most often open back surgery. Open back surgery has three major downsides; high risks, required hospitalization, and a long recovery time.
Herniated Disc Causes
Wear and tear of the vertebral disc is usually the reason that a person develops a herniated disc. Wear and tear of the disc (degeneration) happens naturally as we age and lose the fluid that helps the disc maintain flexibility. A herniated disc can also be a result of a traumatic injury to the spine, which can cause tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc.
What is a Herniated Disc
The bones that form the major part of your spine are called vertebrae and are cushioned by small, spongy discs called vertebral discs. Taking a closer look at the vertebral disc we can see that it is quite an interesting and unique structure. The primary goal of the disc is to act as a shock absorber and provide cushioning between adjacent vertebrae. There are twenty three of these discs in total throughout the spinal column.