How do ruptured discs work

A CT scan may follow this test. Computed Tomography CT scan is a noninvasive test that uses an X-ray beam and a computer to make 2 dimensional images of your spine. This test is especially useful for confirming which disc is damaged. Small needles, or electrodes, are placed in your muscles, and the results are recorded on a special machine. Because a herniated disc causes pressure on the nerve root, the nerve cannot supply feeling and movement to the muscle in a normal manner.

These tests can detect nerve damage and muscle weakness. X-rays view the bony vertebrae in your spine and can tell your doctor if any of them are too close together or whether you have arthritic changes, bone spurs, or fractures. It's not possible to diagnose a herniated disc with this test alone. Conservative nonsurgical treatment is the first step to recovery and may include medication, rest, massage, physical therapy, home exercises, hydrotherapy, chiropractic care, and pain management.

If you don't respond to conservative treatment or your symptoms get worse, your doctor may recommend surgery. Self care : In most cases, the pain from a herniated disc will get better within a couple days and completely resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Medication : Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications NSAIDs , and steroids. Sometimes muscle relaxers are prescribed for muscle spasms.

Steroid injections : The procedure is done under x-ray fluoroscopy and involves an injection of steroids and a numbing agent into the epidural space of the spine. The medicine is delivered next to the painful area to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the nerves. Repeat injections may be given to achieve the full effect. Duration of pain relief varies, lasting for weeks or years.

Exercise and strengthening exercises are key elements to your treatment and should become part of your life-long fitness. When symptoms progress or do not resolve with conservative treatment, surgery may be an option.

Factors such as patient age, how long the problem has persisted, other medical problems, previous neck operations, and expected outcome are considered in planning surgery. The most common approach to cervical disc surgery is anterior front of the neck. A posterior from the back approach may be performed if you require decompression for other conditions such as stenosis.

Clinical trials are research studies in which new treatments—drugs, diagnostics, procedures, and other therapies—are tested in people to see if they are safe and effective. Research is always being conducted to improve the standard of medical care. Information about current clinical trials, including eligibility, protocol, and locations, are found on the Web. Studies can be sponsored by the National Institutes of Health see Clinicaltrials.

Back pain affects 8 of 10 people at some time in their lives, and usually resolves within 6 weeks. A positive mental attitude, regular activity, and a prompt return to work are all very important elements of recovery. If your regular job cannot be done initially, it is in the patient's best interest to return to some kind of modified light or restricted duty. Your physician can give prescriptions for such activity for limited periods of time. Has two parts, a soft gel-like center called the nucleus and a tough fibrous outer wall called the annulus.

Also used to describe pain along the sciatic nerve that radiates down the leg. Only the top 24 bones are moveable. This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your health care provider. When your pain starts to subside, gentle exercise and stretches can help you return to normal activities, including work. But make sure to get instructions from your doctor or see a physical therapist to show you safe exercises and stretches for back pain.

Spinal manipulation chiropractic , massage, and acupuncture may help relieve pain and discomfort while your back is healing. Make sure the person who provides these services is a licensed professional. Tell them about your ruptured disc so that they can properly treat your condition. Many people at this stage start thinking about surgery. Injections can provide relief for up to a few months, but the relief will wear off. There are limits on how many injections you can safely have in a given year.

Deciding to move forward with surgery is an individual decision. Your doctor should explain all the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision that fits your lifestyle. The most common surgery is called diskectomy. In many cases, it can be done as an outpatient procedure.

Disc surgery is not guaranteed to work, and the pain might get worse. The disc may rupture again later, or a different disc may fail.

Most disc pain substantially improves within a month. Expect gradual improvement after the early, acute stage right after the flare-up. Going forward, exercise can help to prevent future flare-ups of disc pain. Traditional exercises as well as yoga and tai chi can help to tone and strengthen the core muscles, which support your spine.

Disc wear and tear tends to worsen over time, so you should be prepared for occasional flare-ups. Your best bet is to maintain your back health. You can do that by:. Ruptured discs become increasingly common with aging and the breakdown of the spinal discs. It may not be possible to prevent a ruptured disc, but regular back-strengthening exercise can lower your risk.

The telltale symptoms of sciatic nerve pain are severe pain in your back, buttocks, and legs. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese physical therapy that has become a popular method for managing back pain.

Read on to learn how it works. People who have surgery may feel better faster. But in the long run, people treated with surgery and people treated without surgery have similar abilities to work and to be active. Many people are able to gradually resume work and daily activities soon after surgery. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a rehabilitation program after surgery, which might include physical therapy and home exercises. Disc surgery isn't considered effective treatment for low back pain that is not caused by a herniated disc.

Disc surgery is also not done if back pain is the only symptom the herniated disc causes. A number of technologies using small incisions or injections for destroying the disc are used by some surgeons. Examples are endoscopic discectomy and electrothermal disc decompression. These techniques are experimental and unproved. If your doctor recommends one of them to treat your herniated disc, make sure to get as much information as possible about the procedure. Consider getting a second opinion.

Laser discectomy uses a focused beam of light to dissolve a herniated disc. Although this technology has been used by some surgeons for several years, it is considered experimental because of the lack of studies on its effectiveness and safety. Other treatments that have been tried include removing the center of the disc and removing all or part of the disc by using suction.

These treatments are not considered to be effective. Talk to your doctor before using complementary medicine to treat a herniated disc.

Some people use complementary medicine along with standard or conventional care to treat leg and back pain caused by a herniated disc. Some examples are: footnote 6. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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Top of the page. Condition Overview Is this topic for you? What is a herniated disc? What causes a herniated disc? A herniated disc may be caused by: Wear and tear of the disc. As you age, your discs dry out and aren't as flexible. Injury to the spine. This may cause tiny tears or cracks in the hard outer layer of the disc. When this happens, the thick gel inside the disc can be forced out through the tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. This causes the disc to bulge or break open.

What are the symptoms? If a herniated disc isn't pressing on a nerve, you may have a backache or no pain at all. How is a herniated disc diagnosed? How is it treated? Symptoms from a herniated disc usually get better in a few weeks or months. To help you recover: Rest if you have severe pain. Otherwise, stay active. Staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can weaken your muscles and make the problem worse.

Walking and other light activity may help. Try using a heating pad on a low or medium setting for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Try a warm shower in place of one session with the heating pad. You can also buy single-use heat wraps that last up to 8 hours. You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.

Do the exercises that your doctor or physical therapist suggests. These will help keep your back muscles strong and prevent another injury. Ask your doctor about medicine to treat your symptoms. Medicine won't cure a herniated disc, but it may help with pain and swelling. Can a herniated disc be prevented? To help keep your back healthy: Protect your back when you lift. For example, lift with your legs, not your back. Don't bend forward at the waist when you lift.

Bend your knees, and squat. Use good posture. When you stand or walk, keep your shoulders back and down, your chin back, and your belly in. This will help support your lower back. Get regular exercise. Stay at a healthy weight. This may reduce the load on your lower back. Don't smoke. Smoking increases the risk of a disc injury. Frequently Asked Questions Learning about herniated disc: What is a herniated disc? What causes it? What increases my risk of having a herniated disc?

When should I see a doctor? Being diagnosed: How is a herniated disc diagnosed? Getting treatment: How is it treated? What can I do to treat it at home?

What kinds of pain medicine are used? When is surgery needed? Should I have surgery? What other treatments can I try? Ongoing concerns: How can I prevent a herniated disc? What exercises can I do to prevent back problems?

How do I lift properly to prevent a back injury? Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition. Cause Wear and tear, also called disc degeneration , is the usual cause of a herniated disc. This can also happen when you injure your back. Injury can occur from: A sudden heavy strain or increased pressure to the lower back.

Sometimes a sudden twisting movement or even a sneeze will force some of the material out. Activities that are done over and over again that may stress the lower back, including poor lifting habits, prolonged exposure to vibration, and sports-related injuries.

Symptoms If the herniated disc isn't pressing on a nerve, you may have an ache in the low back or no symptoms at all. Only a few people who have herniated discs have severe or troublesome symptoms. When the disc does press on a nerve, symptoms may include: Pain that travels through the buttock and down a leg to the ankle or foot because of pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Low back pain may accompany the leg pain. Tingling "pins-and-needles" sensation or numbness in one leg that can begin in the buttock or behind the knee and extend to the thigh, ankle, or foot.