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Herniated Discs
Les Payne
October 26, 2023
Herniated Discs
Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.
Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:
Herniated Discs explained
How can Herniated Discs be treated?
News: Ozempic for weight-loss could come with unwanted side effects
Herniated Discs explained
A herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc or a ruptured disc, is a medical condition that affects the spine. It occurs when the soft inner core of an intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus) protrudes through the tough outer layer, potentially pressing on nearby nerves or the spinal cord. These discs are the cushions or shock absorbers located between the vertebrae (bones) of the spine.
Each intervertebral disc has two main components:
Annulus Fibrosus: This is the tough, fibrous outer ring of the disc that encases the inner core.
Nucleus Pulposus: The nucleus pulposus is the soft, gel-like center of the disc that contains a jelly-like substance primarily composed of water and proteoglycans. This inner core provides the disc with its cushioning and flexibility.
To learn more about the anatomy of the spinal discs, check out our article HERE
When the inner core of a disc protrudes through a tear or weakness in the outer layer, it can put pressure on spinal nerves or the spinal cord. This pressure often results in symptoms that can vary in severity depending on the location and extent of the herniation.
A herniated disc typically occurs due to one of the following reasons:
Age-related degeneration: Over time, the discs naturally degenerate and lose some of their water content and structural integrity, making them more prone to herniation.
Injury or trauma: A sudden injury, heavy lifting, or a traumatic event, such as a car accident, can cause a disc to herniate.
Common symptoms of a herniated disc may include:
Pain in the back or neck at the site of the herniation
Radicular pain: Pain radiating along the path of a compressed nerve, often down the arms or legs
Numbness or tingling in the affected area
Muscle weakness
Changes in reflexes
Your doctor can perform a Straight Leg Raise Test during their physical examination to indicate if your symptoms could be coming from a herniated disc.
Keep reading to find out how herniated discs can be treated!
How Herniated Discs Can Be Treated
The treatment for a herniated disc typically begins with conservative approaches such as rest, physical therapy, pain medication, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
In some cases, epidural steroid injections may be recommended to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. These injections can also help to decrease the pressure on the nerve near the herniated disc. Check out our article all about epidural steroid injections HERE.
If conservative treatments are ineffective or if the condition is severe, surgical options such as a discectomy (surgical removal of the herniated portion of the disc) may be considered.
It's important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience symptoms of a herniated disc to determine the appropriate treatment plan and prevent any further complications. The choice of treatment will depend on the specific circumstances and the individual patient.
Ask your doctor if your neck or low back pain in combination with symptoms in the arms or legs could be caused by a herniated disc. They can recommend testing and treatments for your pain.
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About the Author
Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!
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