11/03/2023
A Herniated disc in the spine is a condition during which a nucleus pulposus is displaced from intervertebral space.
It is a common cause of back pain.The patient's who experience pain related to a herniated disc often remember an inciting event that caused their pain.
Unlike mechanical back pain, herniated disc pain is often burning or stinging, and may radiate into the lower extremity. Furthermore, in more severe cases, there can be associated with weakness or sensation changes.
In some instances, a herniated disc injury may compress the nerve or the spinal cord causing pain consistent with nerve compression or spinal cord dysfunction, also known as myelopathy
Herniated Disc's:
Can be very painful.
Within a few weeks,
most cases of painful disc herniation heal.
In many instances,
the herniation of the disc does not cause that patient any pain.
Herniated discs are often seen on MRI of asymptomatic patients (MRI is the imaging modality of choice).
The management of disc herniation requires an interprofessional team.
The initial treatment should be conservative, unless a patient has severe neurological compromise.
Surgery is usually the last resort as it does not always result in predictable results.
Patients are often left with residual pain and neurological deficits, which are often worse after surgery.
Physical therapy is the key for most patients. The outcomes depend on many factors but those who particpate in regular exercise and maintain a healthy body weight have better outcomes than people who are sedentary.
