Disc Herniation Specialist

What is disc herniation?

You have rubbery discs between each of your spinal vertebrae. If the disc develops a crack in its tough exterior shell, the soft material inside escapes and protrudes into the spinal canal. 

This can pressure and aggravate nerve roots, potentially causing some symptoms in your back (lumbar disc herniation) or neck (cervical disc herniation). 

Disc herniation can happen with trauma to the spine, such as a fall or a sports injury. But, the most common cause is natural degeneration within the spine. Over the years, your spinal discs can grow brittle and prone to tearing and herniation.

What are the symptoms of disc herniation?

Disc herniation doesn't always cause symptoms, but in many cases, it can cause:

• Neck pain, which may radiate to your arm

• Low back pain, which may radiate to your buttocks and leg

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Weakness 

• Clumsiness

These symptoms may also occur with other conditions, so it's important to get an accurate diagnosis.

How is disc herniation diagnosed?

Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton uses a combination of advanced and traditional techniques to diagnose herniated discs. Your diagnosis may include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. 

Electrodiagosis can be a critical component of diagnosis, as well. Two common tests are electromyographic examination (EMG), which evaluates the electrical activity of your muscles, and nerve conduction studies (NCS), which check for nerve damage. You may also need evoked potentials, which checks the speed that electrical signals travel through your spinal cord.

How is disc herniation treated?

Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton uses a conservative nonnarcotic approach that starts with a personalized physical therapy plan, appropriate activity modifications, rest, hands-on physical medicine, and anti-inflammatory medications. The experienced physical medicine providers can also teach you how to stand, sit, and lift in the best ways to reduce stress on your spine. 

In some cases, you may need site-specific cortisone injections to reduce inflammation and pain. These injections can help you move more comfortably, which can in turn allow you to take part in physical therapy more effectively. 

In certain cases, like treatment-resistant pain or nerve compression that causes serious disability, you may need spine surgery. The surgeons use the most up-to-date techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to perform surgeries such as spinal fusion, artificial disc replacement, microdiscectomy, or laminectomy where necessary. 

Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton can help you manage the pain of a herniated disc without making you rely upon narcotics. Reach out to either office by phone or through online booking now.