A herniated disc is a problem with the rubbery cushions between the vertebrae that stack to make your spine. It occurs when the soft, jellylike center (nucleus) pushes through a tear in the tough, rubbery exterior (annulus). A Roswell herniated disc can occur anywhere along the spine, but the commonly affected regions include the lower back and neck. Many people with a herniated disc have no symptoms, but if the disc presses a nerve, one may experience pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. If you have symptoms like pain and swelling, the following treatments may help.
Rest
You minimize swelling and give your back time to heal when you rest. You want to avoid exercise and other activities that involve bending or lifting. Bed rest is fine for a short while but do not stay off your feet for longer than one or two days. It is important to keep moving to prevent your joints and muscles from stiffening up. Using cold or hot compresses can also help minimize your pain. To do this, place an ice pack or warm wet towel on the sore area. Use whichever feels best; you can alternate hot and cold.
Medications
Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help alleviate pain and swelling caused by a herniated disc. However, prolonged use of anti-inflammatory drugs can increase your risk for bleeding or heart problems. Therefore, do not use these medicines for more than ten days without talking to your healthcare provider.
If over-the-counter pain medicines don’t alleviate your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe narcotics such as codeine or oxycodone-acetaminophen. These are also short-term options. If your pain is due to nerve damage, medicines such as amitriptyline, gabapentin, and tramadol may ease the pain.
Physical therapy
A physical therapy program may include exercises, massage, ice and heat, ultrasound therapy, and electrical muscle stimulation. Your physical therapist can guide you through some exercises that support your back. You may also practice aerobic exercises such as walking or riding a stationary bike.
Injections
If other treatments, such as pain relievers, rest, and physical therapy, don’t reduce your pain, your doctor may recommend steroid injections. For this treatment, your provider injects steroid medicine into the space around your spinal nerve. Sometimes physicians combine steroid medicine with local anesthesia. The steroid helps reduce inflammation while the anesthesia numbs any pain or discomfort. During an epidural injection procedure, your doctor will use an X-ray or CT scan to locate the right spot to inject the medicine. Usually, patients need several steroid shots to relieve pain.
Surgery
Most people with a herniated disk do not need surgery since their symptoms improve within four to six weeks of rest and other treatments. However, surgery may be an option if your pain is persistent or worsens. You may discuss surgery with your provider if:
- Your symptoms keep worsening
- You are not getting relief from other conservative treatments
- You have lost bowel or bladder control
- You have trouble standing or walking
If you have any questions about herniated disc treatment, consult your Apex Spine and Neurosurgery physician.