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IS IT A HERNIATED DISC? SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

Experiencing back or neck pain, numbness or weakness? Learn about herniated disc symptoms; diagnosis methods including MRI and CT scans; and effective treatment options from conservative care to surgery.

With so many conditions causing back pain, how can you tell if your pain is due to a herniated disc? Of course, professional diagnosis is the only surefire way. Prior to your appointment, take note of whether you have any of the following symptoms.

How Do I Know If My Disc Is Herniated?

Discs are pads that sit between the bones of your spine. If something causes an injury to the center of the disc, it “slips” out of the center, potentially causing problems like pinching a nearby nerve.

Keep in mind you’re unlikely to experience every potential symptom of a herniated disc, because the location of the injured disc determines what kinds of issues you’ll tend to experience. Symptoms include:

Pain is mostly on one side. With herniated discs, any pain you feel tends to stay on one side of your body only, no matter what part of your body is experiencing it.

Pain originates in lower back or neck. The lower back, followed by the neck, are the most common areas where people with herniated discs have issues.

Weakness and aches occur in hip, buttocks or leg, sometimes even extending to the toes. When a herniated disc happens lower in the spine, it’s not uncommon to have these symptoms.

Discomfort or sharp pains from an upper-spine herniated disc strikes near the neck or shoulder blade. There may be weakness and additional aching down the arm and into the fingers.

Pain worsens with prolonged activity or static positions. Pain gets worse after walking, bending over, standing for a long period, or sitting in the same position for an extended amount of time.

Pain intensifies at night.

Pain gets worse when you sneeze, cough or laugh.

Seeking Professional Diagnosis for a Herniated Disc

Suspecting you may have a herniated disc is one thing, but stopping at self-diagnosis would be a mistake. The best way to determine whether a herniated disc is causing your pain and weakness is to contact a healthcare professional.

Diagnostic steps at a facility such as Mississippi Sports Medicine include taking a medical history and conducting a physical exam. During the physical, you’ll likely be asked to move your neck in different directions, as well as to take strength tests of your arms and legs to see if one side is weaker than the other.

The physical will also involve bending from the waist in different directions, along with walking several steps on your heels, then on your toes.

Pain, weakness or lack of mobility during these various movement experiments can indicate if a herniated disc is present – and where. The same is true for instances of weakness, numbness, spinal misalignment and a decrease in nervous reflexes.

If a doctor suspects that you have a herniated disc or another issue, he or she may order additional testing. These tests might include:

X-Rays
While X-rays don’t show herniated discs specifically, they indicate if something else, such as a bone spur or a soft-tissue injury, is causing pain.

CT scans or MRIs
These tests will show where the herniated disc, if present, is pressing on the spine.

EMGs
EMGs show the nerves that are being affected by a herniated disc.

Myelograms
These tests pinpoint exactly where the herniated disc is.

While undergoing a physical exam and follow-up imaging can be daunting for some patients, the processes are all relatively painless. More importantly, they’re the best way to ensure an accurate diagnosis that points the way to the most effective herniated disc treatment.

Herniated Disc Treatment

There are numerous treatment options available for herniated discs. Depending on your test results, your doctor may start out more conservatively before moving on to more aggressive strategies.


Conservative Herniated Disc Treatments

  • Medication

    The best painkillers for herniated disc treatments, along with other medications for the condition, will depend in part on the location and severity of our condition. Medications that may be tried include:

    • General pain relievers, either over-the-counter or prescription strength versions of ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen.
    • Muscle relaxants help ease the spasms that lead to pain and other discomfort.
    • Neuropathic pain relievers such as duloxetine, gabapentin, or pregabalin for nerve pain.
    • Cortisone injections at periodic intervals for chronic pain. These are often guided by imaging, for precise placement.
    • Opioids may be prescribed for short-term relief, but should be used sparingly.
  • Physical Therapy

    Physical therapy can be done either in conjunction with medication or in place of it. PT professionals may use methods such as:

    • Massage
    • Heat therapy
    • Devices such as a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine
    • Exercises that strengthen the muscles that support the area near the herniated disc, as well as increase mobility.
    • Suggest positions for sleeping, sitting and other activities in order to reduce stress on the affected area.

Herniated Disc Surgery

If, after about six weeks, medication and/or physical therapy treatments aren’t providing measurable relief, surgical alternatives may be called for. If so, a diskectomy is the most likely option.

Most often, this procedure involves removing just the herniated portion of the disc. In severe cases, however, a spinal fusion or artificial disc may be needed after removing the damaged disc.

If you suspect that your lower back, neck or other types of pain and weakness might be related to a herniated disc, we can help! Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our dedicated medical team.

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