About Herniated Disc

A herniated disc, also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, occurs when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the tougher exterior. This condition can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs, depending on the location of the herniation. Most commonly affecting the lower back (lumbar spine) or neck (cervical spine), herniated discs can disrupt daily life and activities, necessitating effective treatment.

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How Is a Herniated Disc Treated?

More conservative treatment options include acupuncture, physical therapy, prescription medications, and high-dose epidural steroid injections. While steroid injections can temporarily help the pain, they can cause severe side effects and reduce your body’s ability to heal.

If none of these work, the next course of treatment is usually back or neck surgery that cuts away a portion of the disc. However, this approach can leave the disc weaker and more likely to be injured again. The final option is often an extremely invasive spine surgery (spinal fusion) in which two vertebrae are permanently joined together with hardware.

Symptoms of Herniated Disc

The symptoms of a herniated disc vary depending on the location and severity of the condition. Common symptoms include:

  • 01Pain Sharp or burning pain in the lower back, buttocks, thigh, calf, neck, or shoulder.
  • 02Numbness or Tingling Affected nerves may cause a loss of sensation or a tingling feeling in the body parts served by the nerves.
  • 03Weakness Muscles served by the affected nerves may weaken, making it difficult to lift or hold items, or maintain balance.
  • 04Sciatica Pain radiating down one leg, often extending from the buttock down the back of the leg, sometimes reaching the foot.
  • 05Difficulty with Movement Severe pain can restrict movement and reduce flexibility.

Causes of Herniated Disc

Several factors can contribute to the development of a herniated disc:

Age-Related Wear and Tear

Discs lose some of their water content as we age, making them less flexible and more prone to tearing or rupturing.

Injury

Sudden heavy strain or trauma, such as from lifting heavy objects incorrectly, can cause a disc to herniate.

Repetitive Motions

Repeated activities that strain the spine, especially with poor posture or technique, can lead to herniation.

Genetics

A family history of disc problems can increase the likelihood of developing a herniated disc.

Lifestyle Factors

Sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and smoking can weaken discs and increase the risk of herniation.

How To Treat a Herniated Disc Without Surgery.

1.

During Regenexx’s outpatient procedures, custom concentrations of your body’s natural healing agents are injected into the exact areas of damage in the spine. Treatments use only your own blood to make super-concentrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or your own bone marrow concentrate (BMC), which contains concentrated cells.

2.

Treatment for herniated discs may include a Regenexx PL-Disc Procedure. The PL stands for platelet lysate, which is a highly specialized derivative of PRP.