Herniated Discs

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc, also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, is a damaged intervertebral disc. Intervertebral discs separate each vertebra in your spine and act as a cushion and a shock-absorber.

Your intervertebral discs have a soft gel-like interior — nucleus pulposus — and a tough exterior — annulus. A herniated disc occurs when pressure from the vertebrae above and below the disc forces some or all of the nucleus pulposus to break through a weakened portion of the annulus.

The herniation may irritate or compress a spinal nerve root or your spinal cord, causing back or leg pain. Herniated discs may develop in any part of your spine, but they most commonly occur in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) spine.

You may develop a herniated disc from a fall or lifting injury. However, the disc damage most often occurs from degenerative changes that happen as you get older.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

Not everyone with a herniated disc has symptoms. However, if your herniated disc irritates a nerve, you may experience:

• Dull, achy sensation in your neck or lower back
• Pain that radiates into your extremities
• Muscle weakness
• Poor balance
• Muscle spasms

Sciatica is a collection of nerve-induced pain symptoms that develop from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. A herniated disc in the lumbar spine is a common cause of sciatica.

What happens during a herniated disc consultation?

Dr. Singla takes a patient-centered approach to care and conducts in-depth evaluations when you come seeking help for your herniated disc.

She asks detailed questions about your symptoms, including when they started, the type of pain you feel, and how your discomfort affects your daily routine. Dr. Singla performs a physical exam, paying close attention to your spine and the source of your pain.

To determine the location and severity of your herniated disc, Dr. Singla requests diagnostic imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs.

How is a herniated disc treated?

Dr. Singla takes a non-surgical approach for the treatment of herniated discs. With the right care plan, most herniated discs resolve with conservative interventions.

Some of the herniated disc treatment options available at Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine include:

• Physical therapy
• Activity modification
• Posture therapy
• Bracing
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Epidural steroid injections
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Regenerative medicine
• Spinal cord stimulation

Dr. Singla adjusts your treatment as needed to ensure you get the best results.

For expert herniated disc care, call Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, or request an appointment online today.