How to heal a herniated disc
It has many names- herniated disc, bulging disc, slipped disc, or ruptured disc. Whatever you call it, it’s almost sure to cause pain and discomfort. This is a common condition that Dr. Daniel Reid with CMC Orthopaedics sees all too often among adults. Herniated discs can occur anywhere along your spine, causing pain in any location from your lower back to your neck. Dr. Reid enlightened us about this common condition and the available treatments he specializes in for herniated discs.
What is a Herniated Disc
According to Dr. Reid, it’s easier to understand how a herniated disc occurs if you visualize spinal discs as if they are jelly doughnuts.
“Spinal discs are made up of two parts,” Dr. Reid explained. “The outer part (the dough of the donut) is called the annulus fibrosus and is made up of fibrous collagen rings that enclose the inner part. The inner part (the jelly of the donut) is called the nucleus pulposus, and it’s a jelly-like substance that helps the spinal disc absorb shock and provides flexibility to the spine.”
“Herniated discs occur when the jelly (nucleus pulposus) bulges out of the dough (annulus),” described Dr. Reid. “This is known as an annular tear. Sometimes, this can be accompanied by leaking that can irritate and inflame the surrounding nerves which can be pretty painful.” Even without leakage, the bulging itself can create pressure on the nerves and cause a significant amount of pain.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
According to the Mayo Clinic, although herniated discs can develop in any part of the spine, they’re most common in the lower back or the lumbar spine. However, symptoms are determined by what part of the spine the herniated disc developed in, and often only affects one side of the body. Symptoms include the following:
- Pain in the shoulder, arm, leg, lower back, buttocks, thigh, calf, or foot, depending on the location of the herniated disc
- Pain that shoots from one area to another when coughing, sneezing, or moving into certain positions
- Sharp or burning pain
- Radiating numbness or tingling in an area of the body served by the nerves affected by the spinal disc
- Weakness in the muscles served by the affected nerves that may cause you to stumble or affect your ability to lift or hold items
Risk factors
“Some people are more likely to develop a herniated disc,” noted Dr. Reid. “Many factors can determine how susceptible you are, such as age, occupation, and the activities you participate in. Sports that require repetitive twisting and bending of the spine like football, hockey, basketball, soccer, and even golf can put you more at risk.”
How is a herniated disc treated?
In many cases, a herniated disc will resolve itself if given proper time to heal. If you’re experiencing pain anywhere along your spine, it’s important to rest for at least a few days.
Dr. Reid recommends that you “minimize activity that worsens your pain. Don’t overdo any activity. Take ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen to manage your pain (if you are able to tolerate these medications and do not have medical contraindications to their use such as kidney issues, liver issues, or gastrointestinal issues).”
For some people, this will be enough to resolve the symptoms. For others, CMC Orthopaedics can assist with managing the symptoms through other conservative treatments like medications, physical therapy, or steroid injections.”
When is surgery necessary for a herniated disk?
The answer is simple: when all other treatments fail. Fortunately, this only applies to a small portion of herniated disk sufferers. With advancements in medicine, surgery has become the go-to procedure for better short-term and long-term effects. Various surgeries for disc herniation have proven to be safe and effective for treating chronic back and neck pain while also preventing further damage.
Dr. Reid pointed out a few factors that help to determine whether surgery may be necessary for a herniated disc. “If someone is experiencing persistent pain for 4-8 weeks after trying more conservative treatments, it may be time to consider surgery. These patients are more than likely having debilitating mobility issues, experiencing weakness in their limbs, and issues walking and standing, in addition to the pain that is making life very difficult. Numbness in the limbs and bladder or bowel control issues are also factors in taking those next steps for surgery.”
Dr. Reid doesn’t make the decision to move forward with surgery lightly. “When I suggest surgery to one of my patients, I’m definitely taking into consideration the extent of their disability and the intensity of the pain they are experiencing,” said Dr. Reid. “What is their quality of life like? What are the challenges they are faced with on a daily basis? It’s very important to me that my patient and I are on the same page, working together to make the best decisions at the right time for their quality of life.”
Recovery time
The recovery time after surgery is based on many factors including the type of surgery needed and the level of activity required for your day-to-day activities.
“A reasonable goal for my patients who work in an office setting is that they could be back at work within 3-4 weeks doing sedentary desk work, while being mindful of their posture, and keeping their activity level low. My patients who do heavier, more strenuous work may need 6-8 weeks of recovery before slowly transitioning back into their normal workloads. Every case is different, and I try to work with each patient to build reasonable expectations for their recovery.”
Turn to our orthopedic spine specialists
If you are tired of your back or neck problems disrupting your daily life, you can feel confident in the expertise and services provided by the spine specialists at CMC Orthopaedics. Our orthopedic services are ranked #1 in the state by CareChex, an organization that monitors health care quality. Our spinal surgery services are ranked in the top 100 in the United States, and our spinal surgery and spinal fusion services are ranked the #1 hospital in the market.
When you choose Conway Medical Center, you are choosing experience, quality, and care from some of the top spine specialists in the Myrtle Beach area to work with you to finally get relief from pain. Take the step in treating your back or neck problem today. Contact us by requesting an appointment.
Dr. Daniel Reid
Fellowship trained in Spine Surgery at the San Diego Spine Foundation
Fellowship trained in Orthopaedic Trauma at Brown University
Daniel B.C. Reid, MD, MPH completed his undergraduate education at the University of Washington, where he received a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Psychology with College Honors. He earned his medical degree (MD) from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. Following medical school, Dr. Reid completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Brown University in Providence, RI. After residency, he completed an orthopaedic trauma fellowship at Brown University. This was followed by a Spine Surgery fellowship with the San Diego Spine Foundation at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, CA.
Dr. Simone Maybin
Fellowship trained in Interventional Spine at Johns Hopkins Hospital
A Top 20 under 40 honoree by the North American Spine Society in 2021
Dr. Maybin graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She earned her medical degree from The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. Following medical school, Dr. Maybin completed her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. After residency, she completed a fellowship in Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD.
