Herniated Discs Specialist

What is a herniated disc?

The intervertebral discs are the cartilage cushions between the vertebrae, the bones of your spine. As we age, our discs degenerate and start to collapse and bulge. Normally this is not a painful process. However, a herniated, or slipped, disc occurs when the outer ring of cartilage in the disc tears, allowing some of the softer inner disc material to escape. When a disc herniates, the result is inflammation in the spine and possibly compression of nerves going to an arm or a leg. A herniated disc that is large enough may compress the spinal cord or the cauda equina, the bundle of nerves controlling the bowel and bladder. This is a surgical emergency.

The most common sites for herniated disc are in the middle of the neck and at the bottom of the lower back. Herniated discs in these areas affect one or both arms or legs. Sometimes herniated discs cause no symptoms, particularly if they are small or not compressing a nerve. Most of the time, pain from a herniated disc will resolve in a matter of months.

What are the symptoms of herniated disc?

Herniated discs typically cause pain that radiates from your lower back into one leg, or from the neck into one arm. Less commonly, a herniated disk in the middle of the back will cause pain in the chest or abdomen. Your symptoms may include:

• Dull, aching sensation
• Sharp, shooting pain
• Electric shock-like sensation
• Burning, tingling, or numbness
• Muscles weakness

Coughing, sneezing, or sitting for a long period of time may aggravate your symptoms. 

If your symptoms are mild, your herniated disc pain may resolve over time with at-home care. However, if your symptoms are severe or ongoing, Pain Management Specialists can help. 

What happens during a sciatica evaluation?

The board-certified interventional pain management physicians at Pain Management Specialists are experts in the evaluation and treatment of a herniated disc. 

During your evaluation, your doctor reviews your symptoms and medical history. They perform a physical exam, paying close attention to the area where you feel the most pain. To confirm or rule out a diagnosis, they may also request diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, CT scans,  MRIs or electromyography.

Sometimes pain arising from the sacroiliac, hip or shoulder joint mimics pain from a herniated disc. The interventional pain management experts at Pain Management Specialists will examine these joints to determine if they are the cause of your pain.

How is a herniated disc treated?

At Pain Management Specialists, your doctor creates individualized treatment plans for herniated discs that focuses on providing the best possible outcomes. 

They find that most herniated disc patients obtain relief from their symptoms with a home exercise program, physical therapy, and when that fails, with epidural steroid injections.

If interventional pain management treatments fail to alleviate your herniated disc pain, or if you have major numbness or weakness as a result of a herniated disc, the experts at Pain Management Specialists may refer you to one of the top spinal surgeons in the area for an evaluation. 

For relief from your herniated disc, call Pain Management Specialists or make an appointment using the online booking button.