This may be an indicator of a bulging or herniated disc in the neck or back. Between each of the vertebrae that make up your spine are small cushions called discs. Herniated discs are more common in the age bracket. A herniated disc is when the material inside the disc pushes outwards, irritating the nerve exiting at that level.
This can be on either side of the spine and depending on the nerve affected in the neck or back, can cause radiating pain, numbness and loss of sensation. Most people are able to relieve their pain from a herniated disc using medications and physical therapy, with improvements seen in about four to six weeks. However, in cases where the pain is very severe, surgery may be used as a last resort treatment. For mild herniated disc pain, relieve the inflammation to decrease pain.
For instance, applying a heating pad or ice pack to the affected area may be a good way to temporarily relieve your pain and reduce inflammation. Take minutes twice a day to lie on your stomach with one to two pillows under your hips. Avoid wearing high heels, sleeping on your stomach and standing or sitting for long periods of time. Depending on what nerve is pinched, it can cause pain in a variety of places. If you have a herniated disk in your lumbar spine, the pain might come down your leg , down your butt, over the hip and down the leg, says Dr.
If your herniated disk is pinching a nerve in your cervical spine, it might cause arm pain or weakness that shoots down your shoulder or upper back. The average amount of time it takes for a herniated disk to heal is four to six weeks, but it can get better within a few days depending on how severe the herniation was and where it occurred. The biggest factor in healing a herniated disk is time, because most often it will resolve on its own.
Healing time also depends on what recovery looks like for you and what type of treatment you try. You have to fit the requirements from the physical examination and medical history. And we need to have a serious conversation about how bad the pain is bothering you and affecting your quality of life. Surgery on the spine is serious and should be weighed accordingly. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy.
You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Discs can bulge or herniate because of injury and improper lifting or can occur spontaneously. Aging plays an important role.
As you get older, your discs dry out and become harder. The tough fibrous outer wall of the disc may weaken. The gel-like nucleus may bulge or rupture through a tear in the disc wall, causing pain when it touches a nerve. Genetics, smoking, and a number of occupational and recreational activities may lead to early disc degeneration. Herniated discs are most common in people in their 30s and 40s, although middle aged and older people are slightly more at risk if they're involved in strenuous physical activity.
Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common causes of lower back pain associated with leg pain, and occurs 15 times more often than cervical neck disc herniation. When you first experience pain, consult your family doctor. Your doctor will take a complete medical history to understand your symptoms, any prior injuries or conditions, and determine if any lifestyle habits are causing the pain.
Next a physical exam is performed to determine the source of the pain and test for any muscle weakness or numbness.
Based on the results, you may be referred to a neurologist, orthopedist, or neurosurgeon for treatment. Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI scan is a noninvasive test that uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to give a detailed view of the soft tissues of your spine. Unlike an X-ray, nerves and discs are clearly visible Fig. It may or may not be performed with a dye contrast agent injected into your bloodstream.
An MRI can detect which disc is damaged and if there is any nerve compression. It can also detect bony overgrowth, spinal cord tumors, or abscesses. Myelogram is a specialized X-ray where dye is injected into the spinal canal through a spinal tap. An X-ray fluoroscope then records the images formed by the dye. The dye used in a myelogram shows up white on the X-ray, allowing the doctor to view the spinal cord and canal in detail.
Myelograms can show a nerve being pinched by a herniated disc, bony overgrowth, spinal cord tumors, and abscesses. 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. EMG tests measure the electrical activity of your muscles.
Small needles are placed in your muscles, and the results are recorded on a special machine. NCS is similar, but it measures how well your nerves pass an electrical signal from one end of the nerve to another. 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, physical therapy, home exercises, hydrotherapy, epidural steroid injections ESI , chiropractic manipulation, and pain management. 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 , muscle relaxants, and steroids. Steroid injections : The procedure is performed under x-ray fluoroscopy and involves an injection of corticosteroids 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 Fig.
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