Herniated Disc Cures

Your spine is made up of bones, nerves and discs. As you age, these discs can become less elastic. When a disc becomes too stiff, it can rupture. A ruptured disc or a herniated disc extends outside of the space on the spine in between the vertebrae where it is supposed to be. This can cause pressure on the nerves, which leads to painful symptoms. The herniated disc can be treated with non-surgical treatment, minimally invasive surgery or invasive back surgery, depending on the severity of the herniated disc and your overall health.

Non-Surgical Treatment

• The Mayo Clinic recommends that most patients attempt non-surgical treatment for herniated discs as the first method of treatment. Non-surgical treatment usually involves some form of physical therapy. This can include stretching exercises, traction, hydrotherapy (water therapy), lumbar stabilization exercises and low-impact aerobics. Pain management is usually offered in conjunction with the physical therapy. This includes taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal over the counter drugs) or other types of pain medication. Heat therapy, cold therapy, and back bracing may also be used in conjunction with physical therapy.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

• An endoscopic procedure is a minimally invasive surgical treatment option for a herniated disc. This involves using an endoscope, which is a small thin tube with a camera attached. The endoscope is inserted using a tiny incision, and the doctor uses the camera attached to the endoscope to look at the discs in the back. The doctor can remove a disc or portions of the disc, using the endoscope to guide him. This minimally invasive outpatient procedure can be useful in some cases, but is often not as effective as a more invasive surgical procedure because the doctor cannot view the nerves through the camera or determine whether the herniated disc has also affected the spinal cord.

Invasive Surgery

• Invasive surgery is the last treatment option recommended to patients with herniated discs. The Mayo Clinic recommends that patients try at least four to six weeks of non-surgical treatments prior to having surgery. There are two common surgeries performed: a diskectomy or a microdiskectomy. A microdiskectomy involves using a small incision in the back, combined with a microscope, to remove the hernaited disc. A diskectomy involves a larger incision to remove the disc. In both cases, the hospital stay usually lasts one to three days, but it may be several weeks before you can resume your normal activity.