Old age can cause the wearing and tearing of the spine. The ring-shaped structures called discs, which serve as shock-absorbing devices, become calcified and are vulnerable to damage over time, leading to prolapsed discs. Moreover, lifting heavy objects, repetitive movements, or traumas of the lumbosacral spine rupture can trigger a herniated disc.
A herniated condition is where the soft gel disc between the vertebrae bones in our spine slips out of place or bursts. It can cause the encroaching of nerves, resulting in pain and distress. The area of the spine where the disc tends to protrude under pressure is either in the lumbar spine region or the cervical spinal area.
Symptoms of a herniated disc
-
Pain: The patients frequently feel the stabbing pain in the spot where the herniation is located. If the source of pain is a hernia disk in the lower back area of the spine, radiating pain could ultimately land in the buttocks and legs (known as sciatica).
-
Numbness or tingling: This process may result in specific areas of your body having reduced feeling, tingling, or even feeling light or numb.
-
Muscle weakness: Impaired nerve transmissions, most likely induced by the nearby herniated disc, lead to muscle weakness acting through the pathway controlled by the nerve ends.
-
Changes in reflexes: Sometimes, the herniated disc can play a role in reflexes, causing changes in response time and direction that may not be considered normal reflex responses.
If you have a herniated disc suspicion, seeking consultation from a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis is essential. They may do a physical examination, get your medical history, and order imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan to get the exact image and structure of the herniation and its stage.
Treatment options for herniated disc
Herniated disc treatment given to every person is based on the severity of the disease. There are both surgical and non-surgical options. The latter include:
-
Pain medication: Available in stores are ready-made medicines for some NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen, which you can take to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. A physician may have a pain pill donation as an option while deciding on medication.
-
Physical therapy: Many stretches and exercises can give more flexibility but also strengthen the muscles, which are just around the area where the nerve is.
-
Spinal injections: They can almost immediately relieve pain by, among other things, controlling swellings around the nerves that have been irritated.
-
Rest and activity modification: Chun activities that escalate the condition. Also, daily activities should be done with regular breaks to prevent more damage or pain. Incorporating appropriate lifting and bending methods into these activities is very helpful.
Surgical procedures are sometimes necessary to cope with critical cases that non-surgical treatments seemingly cannot cure. The complicated procedures involved in surgeries, i.e., removing a disc or connecting the adjacent vertebral segments (discectomy or spinal fusion, respectively), are suitable alternatives.
Finally, each patient’s condition is unique. Therefore, if you experience any of the symptoms, liaise with a health expert so they can analyze your case, perform the necessary tests, and recommend the proper treatment.
