Ruptured Disc Column
Herniated Disc in the Neck
A herniated disc in the neck, also known as a cervical herniated disc, is a condition in which one of the intervertebral discs ruptures. Specifically, the thick outer layer of the disc known as the annulus fibrosus becomes compromised and splits, allowing the soft inner layer called the nucleus pulposus to ooze out of the interior. Oftentimes, the disc does not present any symptoms at all because it does not protrude far enough to press on a nearby nerve root or the spinal cord. However, if it does impinge upon one of these structures, it can cause pain, tingling, weakness, numbness, and muscle spasms in the neck and upper back, as well as headaches.
Herniated Disc in the Back
A herniated disc in the back occurs when one of the cartilaginous spinal discs that cushion vertebrae becomes weakened and the outer layer of it splits, allowing the soft inside layer to leak out. Although in most cases this rupture is not severe enough to cause symptoms, when it does, they can be debilitating.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc in the Back
Symptoms of this condition depend on the location of the ruptured disc. For example, a herniated disc in the lumbar spine can cause problems in the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet, while one in the cervical spine can cause symptoms in the neck, upper back, chest, and arms. Regardless of the location, the sensations it causes are often similar and include:
Herniated Disc Symptoms
Herniated disc symptoms can vary as vastly as the people the condition affects. In addition to severity, the symptoms can differ in their location as well as the combination of sensations they produce. Although the symptoms vary depending on the specifics of your condition, most people experience at least one or a combination of the following:
Cervical Ruptured Disc Treatment at Laser Spine Institute
A cervical ruptured disc has the potential to cause intense neck, shoulder, and even arm pain. The symptoms can include numbness, tingling and pain, as well as weakness in the arms and hands that can make some tasks like typing or writing difficult. These symptoms occur because one of the shock-absorbing discs in between two of the neck’s vertebrae has ruptured, allowing the gel-like material at its core to ooze into the spinal canal. This material presses on nerve tissue, causing irritation. The nerve sends pain signals, which can be felt not only at the compression site, but anywhere the nerve travels. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to treat this condition, including an endoscopic procedure at Laser Spine Institute (LSI). However, it’s important to try non-invasive techniques to treat your cervical ruptured disc first, because only about 10% of ruptured disc patients need a surgical treatment.
Ruptured Disc Pain Can Often Be Relieved at Laser Spine Institute
Living with ruptured disc pain can be incredibly uncomfortable, and you likely know this fact all too well if you’re researching the condition because of your own symptoms. The muscle weakness common with the condition might make it hard for you to stand or walk for a long period of time, and the tingling and swelling can make just sitting still uncomfortable. If you’ve tried chiropractic appointments, physical therapy, over-the-counter medications and even spinal steroid injections, but are still in pain, Laser Spine Institute (LSI) may be able to help. We’ve brought relief to thousands of back and neck pain patients over the years, including those who suffered with ruptured disc pain. We offer pain relief through a variety of endoscopic procedures that are gentle on the spine and the surrounding tissue.
Ruptured Disc Relief from Laser Spine Institute
If you’re living with a painful ruptured disc, it’s possible that you’ve researched a variety of remedies, but have found nothing that works. At Laser Spine Institute (LSI), we’re here to tell you not give up hope on ruptured disc relief. We offer an innovative treatment called percutaneous endoscopic discectomy that uses a laser and other tiny instruments to carefully remove the portion of the intervertebral disc that has pressed into the spinal canal and caused pressure and pain. This treatment is highly effective and safer than traditional open-back surgery for ruptured disc relief. However, in most cases, even this minimally invasive surgery shouldn’t be considered before more conservative treatments have been tried.
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Slipped Disc Treatment at Laser Spine Institute is Safe and Effective
A slipped disc goes by many names—herniated disc, ruptured disc, prolapsed disc—but the pain is all the same. When the affected disc is in the lower back or lumbar region, you may feel pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in not only the lower back but also your legs. When the slipped disc is located in upper back or neck (much less common than a herniated disc in the lumbar area), you may feel the pain in your back but also along your arms or in your chest or stomach.
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A Thoracic Bulging Disc Can Be Treated at Laser Spine Institute
Diagnosing a Ruptured Disc and Treating It
When diagnosing a ruptured disc, a doctor begins with an examination of symptoms. He or she will ask you where your back hurts, when the pain started and if there are certain activities or postures that make it worse. From there, your range of motion may be tested, and your extremities may be examined for responsiveness and muscle strength. If there is any remaining doubt that your back pain is caused by a ruptured disc, or if your doctor simply wishes to confirm his or her findings, an MRI or CT scan may be ordered. These tests provide doctors with a visual aid when diagnosing a ruptured disc. From there, your physician will create a treatment plan based on the location of your ruptured disc, the severity of the pain, and any other back conditions you may be suffering. It’s not uncommon to experience more than one back ailment at a time.
Ruptured Disc Causes
Minimally Invasive Ruptured Disc Surgery: A 5-Day Process to Relieve Pain
As part of our commitment to offer the most advanced and effective treatments for people living with ruptured disc back pain and other spinal conditions, Laser Spine Institute has streamlined our outpatient surgeries to a revolutionary 5-day process. Just think, after living with debilitating ruptured disc pain and weakness for months or years, our innovative procedures can have you on your feet in an hour, back at home in less than a week, and feeling better in as little as one week.
Ruptured Disc Surgery: Why You Should Choose LSI for Minimally Invasive Ruptured Disc Treatment
Living with a ruptured disc can make every day a struggle. From the sharp pains running through your legs and arms to the pins-and-needles sensations, it might seem like there’s not a moment when you are free of ruptured disc symptoms. In addition to the physical pain, a ruptured disc also can cause weakness in the legs, making it extremely difficult to lead an active, fulfilling life.
If you are looking for relief from pain, numbness, and weakness caused by a ruptured disc, Laser Spine Institute has good news for you. With our advanced, minimally invasive procedures, we have helped thousands of people recover from their back pain and resume regular activities, such as working, golfing, traveling - even snowboarding. Our goal is to help you get your life back.
Laser Assisted Ruptured Disc Surgery - Higher Success Rate with Fewer Complications
After living with sharp, persistent pain and leg weakness, caused by a ruptured disc, you may be willing to do just about anything for relief. Thankfully, in some cases, ruptured disc symptoms will improve on their own in about a month. Other cases might get better with rest, physical therapy, heating pads, and cold compresses. If those fail to improve mobility, a doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory pills or injections to release pressure on the throbbing nerves.
Once conservative treatments have been exhausted and you still do not experience relief, your doctor may recommend conventional open-back surgery for your ruptured disc. As you research this option, you may realize that open-back surgery could involve large incisions, risk of infection, general anesthesia, a hospital stay, and possibly months of recovery time - all of which can be severely limiting and inconvenient.
Ruptured Disc Surgery - Am I a Candidate for Laser Spine Surgery at LSI?
Leg pain, back pain, tingling, and muscle weakness caused by a ruptured disc can be constant, and may disrupt your ability to sit, stand, work, or play. Also called a herniated disc or a slipped disc, the electric shock pain and weakness resulting from a ruptured disc may become worse when coughing, sneezing, or laughing, making it virtually impossible to live a normal, happy life.
A ruptured disc occurs between the bones, or vertebrae, of the spine. Cushioning the top and bottom of each vertebra is a spongy disc that acts as a shock absorber during movement. Over time, the outer part of the discs can weaken, causing material inside to bulge outward. When the bulging disc material presses upon a spinal nerve root, that’s when the sharp pain and leg weakness begin.
Ruptured Disc Treatment
In most cases ruptured disc treatment can be overcome without the need of a surgical procedure. Most sufferers tend to recover from a ruptured disc between one and six months. Usually, rest, followed by a gradual increase in activity can be an effective way to treat a ruptured disc.
Ruptured Disc Symptoms
In most cases, the pain from a ruptured disc will occur in the lower back with pain being felt constantly in the legs. The pain may be felt from the buttock all the way to the calf, ankle, heel or toes. There may also be difficulty in raising the foot, decreased reflexes in the knee or ankle and in some instances bowel and bladder functions can be affected.
What Is a Ruptured Disc
Examining the structure of the spine we find three sections comprised of multiple parts most important being the vertebrae. Between each vertebral bone is a small disc that is made up of a tough outer layer and a softer jelly like inner material. Acting as a shock absorber the disc allows for the spine to flex and move in a controlled manner.
Slipped Disc Treatment
Treatment for a slipped disc will most often consist of a short period of rest combined with pain and anti-inflammatory medicine. If required physical therapy will be a follow method used. Five percent of patients will not recover through these methods, leaving them to seek more in-depth treatments such as steroid injections or surgery. The 95% that do recover are able to return to their normal activity level.
Slipped Disc Symptoms
Before looking at slipped disc symptoms it is important to know what a slipped disc is. A slipped disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes it way through the tough outer capsule of the disc. Whether it causes pain or doesn’t, it is still a slipped disc. If the inner material that has escaped applies pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots in the area it is most likely that painful symptoms will occur.
Slipped Disc Information
When considering conditions that affect your spine and the back pain associated with them, it is easy to understand how many patients become confused with the many inconsistent terms used to label spine afflictions.
Ruptured Lumbar Disc
The last five vertebrae of the spine make up the lumbar section of our spine. The vertebra is a bone in our spine that serves its function by providing support and protection for the spinal cord. These vertebrae are linked through facet joints providing mobile connections. Sitting between each of the vertebra is an intervertebral disc composed of the outer annulus and inner nucleus pulposus. The annulus is the tough exterior ring around the disc, and the nucleus pulposus is the soft inner gel like material.
Ruptured Disc Surgery
Although ruptured disc surgeries are rarely required, surgery will become a treatment option for about one in twenty people. Because the end result from ruptured disc surgery is the same as a natural healing, most doctors will not recommend surgery until after 3 to 6 months of no visible improvements. Ruptured disc surgery is usually suggested before the sixth month because at this point there is a greater chance of permanent nerve damage if the ruptured disc is left untreated.
Ruptured Disc Exercises
Controlling pain from a herniated or ruptured disc in spine can begin through the use of conventional pain medicine and a slight reduction in activities. It is important to note that resting for the first couple of days is generally not frowned at, but anything more will start your back muscle down the road of atrophy.
Ruptured Cervical Disc
The cervical spinal disc has one main function and that is to act as a shock absorbing device for the bones in your spine called vertebra. The cervical disc is comprised of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosus but often referred to as the capsule. Inside the capsule is a soft gel like material called the nucleus pulposus. A healthy cervical disc will act as a shock absorber and lend flexibility to the spine. As we age the outer capsule of the cervical disc begins to weaken and eventually through this break down the inner material may sometimes push through causing a ruptured cervical disc.