Did You Know?

When a herniated disc causes enough pain that you can no longer perform your normal daily activities, what surgeries can repair this damage?

  • Endoscopic Discectomy
    This type of surgery can be performed in either the neck or lower back area and since it is done using an endoscope there is only a tiny incision. Recovery times are not as long as a more tradition open back surgery. For more information on how an endoscopic Discectomy procedure is performed click here.
  • Spinal Fusion
    This surgery is used to fuse together two or more vertebrae in your spine. This is an open back procedure requiring a large incision to access the damaged disc.A Spinal Fusion is a major surgery that requires months of recovery time taking up to a year to fully recover. Try again!
  • Disc Replacement Surgery
    This surgery involves removing the damaged disc and replacing it with an artificial disc. This surgery is an open back procedure that requires a large incision. The biggest worry is that the surgery will remove the damaged disc; this means there is no room for error, it can’t be reversed. Try again!

What is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc occurs when the inner disc material (nucleus) has pushed through the outer material (annulus). There are three main classifications for a herniated disc. A contained herniated disc occurs when the nucleus has not broken through the annulus. An extruded herniated disc is where the inner material has broken through the annulus but is still attached to the disc. A sequestered herniated disc occurs when the nucleus has pushed through the annulus and broken away from it.

Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

In most cases a herniated disc will not cause localized pain unless it is applying pressure on the nearby soft tissue. Most often symptoms of a herniated disc will include pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the extremities. If a disc herniation occurs in the lumbar section of your spine you would feel these symptoms in your lower buttocks, legs, and feet, while if it occurs in the cervical section of your spine you would feel it in your upper extremities instead. Symptoms of a herniated disc will worsen with certain activities which apply more pressure to the affected nerve(s) or surrounding tissue.

What Causes a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc is usually a consequence of a sudden jarring motion causing traumatic injury to the intervertabral disc. As wear and tear occurs on your spinal discs you become more susceptible to a disc herniation. Incorrect lifting while bent at the waist instead of the knees is a common cause of trauma that causes a herniated disc.

Treatment Options for a Herniated Disc

Treatment for a herniated disc will begin with conservative treatments unless there is evidence to suggest permanent neurological damage will occur. Conservative treatments include anti-inflammatory medicine, physical therapy, and core stabilization exercises. Depending on the patient’s pain level, pain narcotics may be prescribed to help deal with it during the initial stages of the exercises.

When conservative treatments have failed herniated disc surgery may be pursued. An endoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive spine surgery that is one of the least invasive requiring very little healing time. To learn more about our endoscopic discectomy procedure and see if you are a candidate please click here.

How Can We Help

Atlantic Spinal Care has been successfully treating Herniated Disc in hundreds of patients every year. If you are interested in learning more about how Atlantic Spinal Care can help you relieve the pain you suffer as a result of Herniated Disc please consider one or more of the following options: