Information on Bulging Disks & Surgery

Bulging discs can heal over time with rest, pain medication, anti-inflammatory medicines and physical therapy. Sometimes, though, a bulging disc may require surgery, according to Medline Plus.

Bulging Discs

• Between your vertebrae you have discs that are filled with a jelly-like substance, according to Medline Plus. The purpose of these discs is to cushion your vertebrae and keep them in place. When one of your discs slips out of place or ruptures it is called a bulging disc.

Symptoms

• If you have back pain that spreads to your buttocks and legs, or you experience neck pain that spreads to your shoulders and arms, these are symptoms of a bulging disc. Tingling, numbness, muscle spasms or weakness can also be signs of a bulging disc, according to Medline Plus.

When to Have Surgery

• If you have leg pain that has not improved with four weeks of treatment or you have weakness, loss of motion or abnormal sensitivity, you may need surgery, according to WebMD.

Types of Surgery

• A discectomy is removing the bulging disc material that is pressing on a nerve or your spinal cord. A laminotomy removes pressure on your spinal cord by removing the thin, arched portion of your vertabrae, according to WebMD.

  A percutaneous disectomy is used when disc material has ruptured into your spinal cord. A small tool is used, through an incision in your back, to clean out the ruptured disc material, and this decreases the size of your bulging disc.

Considerations

• Before you have surgery, you should always consider what risks are involved. If you have moderate to severe symptoms surgery may be beneficial to you. If your bulging discs are interfering with your daily activities or work, you may consider having surgery to correct your problem. If you do have surgery, keep in mind, that some people require additional surgery after their first disc operation, according to WebMD.