Herniated Disc

Symptoms of herniated disc include lower back pain, especially when bending forward; sciatica, a shooting pain down the full extent of the back of one leg; muscle weakness in one limb; pain, numbness, tingling, or an abnormal sensation in one shoulder, limb or buttock; and neck pain.

You may experience herniated disc symptoms daily or just once in a while. At times any of these symptoms can be severe:

• Headache (particularly in the back of the head)
• Lower back pain
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle weakness in one limb
• Neck, shoulder, or arm pain
• Pain, numbness, or tingling in one leg or buttock
• Sciatica
• Twitching in arms or legs

In some cases, herniated disc can be a serious condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care if you, or someone you are with, have any of these serious symptoms including:

• Abnormal sensations, tingling, or weakness on one side of the body

• Impaired balance and coordination

• Increased pain at night

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Loss of sensation in a limb or limbs

• Muscle weakness in the arms or legs

• Neck pain

A herniated disc occurs when the disc between two vertebrae ruptures and its inner central nucleus pops out, causing the disc to protrude toward or against the spinal canal and put pressure on the spinal nerves. While this is usually caused by a disc drying out and degenerating during the aging process, it can also be caused by improper physical movement.

A number of factors increase the risk of developing herniated disc. Not all people with risk factors will get herniated disc. Risk factors for herniated disc include:

• Age
• Excessive body weight
• Improper heavy-lifting technique
• Middle to older age group
• Repetitive strenuous activity
• Smoking

You may be able to lower your risk of herniated disc by:

• Avoiding smoking
• Bending knees and hips when lifting
• Controlling your weight
• Stretching prior to exercise activities
• Taking breaks from strenuous activities

Nonsurgical treatments are effective in most cases. These involve the use of muscle relaxant drugs, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as modifying or eliminating some activities until you are healed.

If these measures are not successful, epidural injections of a corticosteroid or cortisone-like drug can relieve pain, and are especially useful in relieving enough pain in order for you to participate in a physical therapy regimen. In some cases you may need surgery.

In most cases, following your treatment plan of medication and physical therapy is completely effective. Surgical procedures, when needed, have also proven highly effective.

The most common treatment for the pain or inflammation associated with herniated disc is analgesics (for pain relief) and anti-inflammatory medications. These include:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Aspirin (Easprin, Ecotrin, Empirin)
• Celecoxib (Celebrex)
• Diclofenac (Voltaren)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR)
• Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• Oxaprozin (Daypro)

In addition to analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, your medical practitioner may add or substitute a muscle relaxant. These most frequently include:

• Carisoprodol (Soma, Vanadom)
• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
• Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
• Orphenadrine citrate

An epidural corticosteroid injection may be used to enable you to participate fully in physical therapy. This is usually a corticosteroid epidural injection.

In some cases you may need surgery, particularly if a disc fragment is lodged in your spinal canal and is pressing on a nerve, which can cause significant loss of function.

In addition to following your specific treatment plan, you can also minimize back pain by:

• Applying cold for 20 minutes several times a day

• Applying heat after muscle spasms

• Avoiding high heeled shoes

• Avoiding sleeping on your stomach

• Bending your knees and hips when lifting (keeping your back straight), if you are allowed to do any lifting

• Easing into exercise and stretching as your medical practitioner directs

• Elevating your knees above your hips when sitting for an extended period

• Practicing good posture

• Shifting your weight if you must stand for an extended period

Some complementary treatments may help some people to better deal with herniated disc. These treatments, sometimes referred to as alternative therapies, are used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. Complementary treatments are not meant to substitute for traditional medical care. Be sure to notify your doctor if you are consuming nutritional supplements or homeopathic (nonprescription) remedies as they may interact with the prescribed medical therapy.

Complementary treatments may include:

• Acupuncture

• Massage therapy

• Nutritional dietary supplements, herbal remedies, tea beverages, and similar products

• Yoga

Complications of untreated herniated disc can be serious. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of herniated disc include:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Permanent disability

• Permanent nerve damage

• Progressive pain, weakness, and loss of muscle function

• Saddle anesthesia (permanent loss of sensation in the inner thighs, back of legs, and rectal area)