What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc is a painful medical condition that occurs in your spine (backbone). Your spine is made up of 26 bones called vertebrae. In between each of these vertebrae are floppy disks. These discs act like cushions and keep the bones of the spine in place. They also help your spine move so you can bend and straighten.
These discs can weaken over time. Sometimes, they even break. The jelly-like center of the disc pushes outwards. When this happens, it is called a herniated disc. (The word “herniation” means a bulge or protrusion.) This is also known as a disc rupture, slipped disc, or bulging disc. These discs become a problem when the center of the disc pushes against a nerve or spinal cord. This causes mild to severe pain.
Herniated discs are most common in the lumbar spine — the lower part of your spine, between the bottoms of your ribs and your hips. They can also occur in the cervical area (your neck). The discs in your upper to mid back (chest area) are rarely involved.
Symptoms of a herniated disc
When part of the disc presses on a nerve, it can cause pain. Often the pain occurs on one side of your body. The location of the pain depends on the location of the herniated disc.
A slipped disc in the cervical part of your spine can cause pain in your neck and arms. You can experience:
- Pain when moving the neck
- Pain near shoulder blades
- Shoots pain down the arm and into the fingers
- Numbness in the shoulder, elbow, forearm, or finger
- Weak
A slipped disc in the lumbar part of the spine can cause pain in the back and legs. It is often referred to as sciatica. This is because the disc presses on the sciatic nerve that runs down your leg. Symptoms include:
- Pain in the legs, hips or buttocks
- Numbness in these areas
- Pain or numbness in the back of the calf or sole of the foot
- Weakness in one leg
The severity of symptoms depends on how much the disc is pressing on the nerve. The pain from a herniated disc is usually worse when you are active and better when you rest. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and leaning forward can make the pain worse. These movements put extra pressure on the nerve. People with herniated discs often try to change positions to relieve pain.
What causes herniated disc?
As you age, the discs in your spine weaken and become flatter (less cushioned). If the disc becomes too weak, the outer part may tear. Then, the inside of the disc pushes through the tear and presses on the nerves next to it. You may be at higher risk for a herniated disc if you:
- Being middle-aged or older
- Heavy lifting
- overweight
- Performing repetitive actions involving bending or twisting
- Sitting in the same position for a long time often
- Live a passive lifestyle
- Smoke
How is a herniated disc diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and examine you. He or she will check you for numbness, weakness, altered reflexes, and pain. They will likely order X-rays or other images to see if you have a herniated disc. These may include CT or MRI scans. There are also neurological tests that your doctor may order. These can determine which nerves are involved, if there is nerve damage, and how well your nerves conduct sensation.
Can a herniated disc be prevented or avoided?
There’s not much you can do to prevent a herniated disc. It is usually caused by the natural aging and deterioration process. To keep your discs and back in good working order, follow a healthy lifestyle:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Strengthens back and abdominal muscles
- Avoid repetitive movements
- If you sit all day, get up and walk every hour
- Practice safe lifting and bending techniques
Treatment of herniated discs
There are several steps that can be taken to treat a herniated disc.
Medicine Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) or prescribe a pain reliever. They may also give you muscle relaxants to reduce muscle spasms that can increase pain.
Physical therapy Certain exercises may be helpful for people with herniated discs. Exercise can make your back and abdominal muscles stronger. This will put less pressure on the disc and give you less pain. Ask your doctor about exercises for your back. Your doctor may want you to see a physical therapist to learn about safe back exercises.
Epidural steroid injection If medication and physical therapy don’t help, your doctor may recommend steroid injections. These are steroid shots that are injected directly into your spine. Steroids reduce swelling around the disc and may reduce pain. Sometimes 1 injection is enough. Usually, they are given in a series of injections over several weeks. These injections can provide pain relief for weeks or months.
Surgery If nothing else helps, your doctor may recommend surgery. He or she will remove all or part of the damaged disc so that it no longer presses on the nerve.
home treatment You can also practice good care at home to treat your discs. Good posture can help your back by reducing pressure on the discs. Focus on standing up straight, sitting up straight, and lifting your back straight. Follow these tips to do what you can on your own to ease your symptoms:
- Bend your knees and hips and keep your back straight when you lift something.
- Hold an object close to your body when you carry it.
- If you stand for a long time, rest one foot on a small stool or box for a while.
- If you sit for a long time, rest your feet on a small stool so that your knees are higher than your hips.
- Don’t wear high heels.
Living with a herniated disc
Your chance to become better is good. Most people with a herniated disc get better in about 4 weeks. Sometimes it takes longer. If you still have pain or numbness after 4 to 6 weeks, or if you feel worse, talk to your doctor. Sometimes surgery is needed to relieve the pain.
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Trouble going to the toilet
- Loss of bowel or bladder function
- Loss of sensation in feet or legs
- Weight loss
- Severe pain at night
- Pain or weakness than usual in your spine
This could be a sign of complications or a more serious problem.