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Wednesday, 24 July, 2024
Are you suffering from back pain, sciatica, or a tingling sensation in your lower back? Wondering what it could be?
You may have a slipped disc or bulging disc issue. Care to know more about this condition?
You’re in the right place. Through this blog, an expert spine surgeon in BangalorefromKauvery Hospital - the leading hospital for spine surgery, will help you explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment of slipped discs.
What Is A Slipped Disc?
First thing first, what is a slipped disc?A slipped disc occurs when one of the soft, gel-like cushions (discs) located between the vertebrae in your spine moves out of place or ruptures.
You may be wondering what is a bulging disc or what is a herniated disc? These are basically the same as a slipped disc. In fact, a slipped disc is also referred to as abulging disc or herniated disc.
These discs act as protecting shields of the spine and function as shock absorbers, allowing flexibility and movement.
When a disc slips, it can press on nearby nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness. This condition can occur in any part of the spine but is most common in the lower back (lumbar spine) and the neck (cervical spine).
Want to manage and treat the condition effectively? Then you must have a clear understanding of a slipped disc and how it affects your overall health.
What Are The Types Of Disc Herniation or Slip Disc?
Disc herniation, or slip disc, can be classified into several types based on the extent and location of the disc displacement. Here are the types of disc herniation:
- Protrusion: The disc bulges out but the outer layer remains intact. This is the mildest form of herniation and often causes minimal symptoms.
- Prolapse: The inner gel-like core of the disc pushes through the outer layer but remains contained within the disc. This can cause more significant pain and discomfort.
- Extrusion: The inner core breaks through the outer layer and extends outside the disc. This type of herniation can cause severe pain and nerve compression.
- Sequestration: The inner core fragments and moves outside the disc entirely, potentially causing severe pain and neurological symptoms due to nerve compression.
Each type of herniation can affect the body differently, and understanding these distinctions helps in diagnosing and treating the condition appropriately.
What Are The Symptoms Of Slip Disc?
Symptoms of a slipped disc or disc herniation can vary depending on the location of the herniation and the nerves affected. What are the symptoms of a slipped disc? Below are some the common symptoms of slip disc based on the affected area:
Symptoms Of Slip Disc In Back
- Lower Back Pain: Persistent or sharp pain in the lower back, which can worsen with movement or prolonged sitting.
- Sciatica: Sciatica due to herniated disc involves radiating pain that travels from the lower back through the buttocks and down one or both legs. This pain is often sharp and shooting.
- Numbness or Tingling: Sensations of numbness or tingling in the lower extremities, indicating nerve compression.
- Muscle Weakness: Weakness in the muscles of the legs or feet, which can make walking or performing everyday activities difficult.
Symptoms Of Slip Disc In Neck
- Neck Pain: Persistent pain in the neck that can radiate to the shoulders and arms.
- Arm Pain:Sharp or burning pain that travels from the neck down into one or both arms.
- Numbness or Tingling: Sensations of numbness or tingling in the arms or hands.
- Muscle Weakness: Weakness in the muscles of the arms or hands, affecting the ability to lift or grip objects.
What about signs that herniated disc is getting worse?
When a herniated disc is getting worse, the signs become more prominent and unbearable.
You may experience terrible pain that spreads from the back to the legs (sciatica) or from the neck to the arms, often accompanied by sharp, shooting sensations.
Numbness or tingling in the affected areas can increase, signaling more severe nerve compression. Muscle weakness might become more evident, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks like lifting objects or walking.
If the condition progresses, you might also notice a loss of bowel or bladder control, which requires immediate medical attention.
Persistent or worsening symptoms indicate that the herniated disc is not healing on its own and may need more aggressive treatment to prevent further complications.
What Are The Causes Of Slip Disc?
Curious to know about the causes of disc herniation? A slipped disc can result from various factors, some of which are preventable, while others are not. Understanding these causes can help in both prevention and management.
Here are some of the most common causes of slip disc:
- Age: As we age, our spinal discs lose water content and become less flexible, making them more prone to tearing or rupturing.
- Injury: Trauma from accidents, falls, or heavy lifting can cause a disc to slip or herniate.
- Repetitive Strain: Activities involving repetitive bending, twisting, or heavy lifting can weaken the discs over time.
- Genetics: A family history of disc problems may increase your risk of developing a slipped disc.
- Obesity: Excess body weight puts additional stress on the spinal discs, increasing the likelihood of herniation.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of regular exercise can lead to weak muscles and poor spinal health, making disc injuries more likely.
- Smoking: Smoking reduces blood flow to the discs, impairing their ability to repair and maintain health.
Treatment Of Slip Disc
Treatment for a slipped disc aims to relieve pain, improve function, and prevent further injury. The approach can vary based on the severity of symptoms and the specific needs of the patient.
Below are some of the effective approaches towards treatment of slip disc:
Medicines
Medications can be used to manage the pain and inflammation associated with a slipped disc:
- Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Muscle Relaxants: These can help alleviate muscle spasms associated with a slipped disc.
- Nerve Pain Medications: Drugs like gabapentin or pregabalin can help manage nerve pain resulting from a herniated disc.
- Steroid Injections: Corticosteroid injections near the affected area can provide significant relief from inflammation and pain.
Slip Disk Therapy
Non-surgical therapies can be effective in managing symptoms and improving spinal health:
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can design a customised exercise program to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
- Chiropractic Care: Spinal manipulation performed by a chiropractor can help alleviate pressure on the affected nerves and improve spinal alignment.
- Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying heat or cold packs to the affected area can reduce pain and inflammation.
- Massage Therapy: Therapeutic massage can help relieve muscle tension and improve circulation around the affected area.
- Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine technique involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain and promote healing.
Slip Disk Surgery
Surgery is usually considered when conservative treatments fail to provide relief or when there is significant nerve compression leading to severe symptoms. Surgical options include:
- Discectomy: Removal of the herniated portion of the disc to relieve pressure on the nerves.
- Laminectomy: Removal of part of the vertebra to create more space for the spinal cord and nerves.
- Spinal Fusion: Joining two or more vertebrae together to stabilise the spine and reduce pain.
- Artificial Disc Replacement: Replacing a damaged disc with an artificial one to maintain spine movement.
Conclusion
A slipped disc can cause significant discomfort and impact your daily life. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help you manage this condition effectively.
Whether it's through medication, therapy, or surgery, there are various ways to address and alleviate the symptoms of a slipped disc. If you're experiencing persistent back or neck pain, it's essential to seek medical advice promptly to prevent further spine surgery problems and improve your quality of life.
Also, seeking medical attention helps prevent risks of spine surgery.
So, besides maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and practising good posture, do not forget to get in touch with our expert doctors to prevent disc problems and ensure a healthier spine.
FAQs
What are the signs that a herniated disc is getting worse?
Intensified pain, increasing numbness or tingling, worsening muscle weakness, and loss of bowel or bladder control indicate a worsening herniated disc.
How to heal a bulging disc quickly?
Rest, physical therapy, proper medication, and avoiding activities that strain the back can help a bulging disc heal more quickly.
What could be the potential risks of slip disc surgery?
Slip disc surgery risks include infection, nerve damage, bleeding, and the possibility of the disc re-herniating.
How can one avoid a slipped disc?
Maintaining good posture, regular exercise, proper lifting techniques, and a healthy weight can help prevent a slipped disc.
