What Are the Treatments for Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc occurs when a bulging disc compresses the nerve endings in the spine. The condition can be very painful and will radiate to the extremities, but the back itself is normally not in pain.

Features

• A herniated disc can happen suddenly, as in an accident, or it can happen over time from bending, twisting, or lifting incorrectly. Symptoms of a herniated disc include:

  Numbness in legs.
  Numbness in arms.
  Sharp pain in hip, buttocks and legs.
  Sharp pain in arms, shoulders.

Treatment

• There are several treatment options for a herniated disc. The first course of action is the conservative route and home care:

  Stop doing the activity that is causing the pain. Continuing to lift, for example, can make the situation worse.

  Taking over-the-counter ibuprofen every four to six hours will help with pain and inflammation.

  If the pain is radiating in the buttocks and into the legs, the problem disc is in the lower back, and ice should be applied to the area to help with swelling.

  If the pain is in the arms or midsection, ice should be applied to the upper back (Resource 1).

  Gentle stretching of the arms and legs will also help to elevate the bulging disc.

  90 percent of those with herniated discs will have a complete recovery over the course of a month.

  If the conservative treatments fail, there are surgical procedures, including:

  Discectomy: The herniated disc is completely removed.

  Percutaneous discectomy: Removal of the disc with a less invasive method is considered a day surgery.

Significance

• It is estimated that only 10 percent of those with herniated discs will ever require surgery (Resource 2).

Considerations

• People who suffer from a herniated disc and recover with conservative treatments are twice as likely to end up with the same disc bulging later. Learning to lift objects, bend and twist properly will help eliminate re-injury.

Warning

• If the pain is not easing after three days of ice, rest, and ibuprofen, a medical professional should be sought.