Are You at Risk of Disc Herniation? Know What Treatment Options are Available

Disc herniation may or may not cause symptoms. But, the symptoms of a Lawrenceburg herniated disc can be serious and incapacitating. The kind of symptoms you may experience depends on which region of your spine the herniation occurs, its proximity to nerves, and its size. But, disc herniation often occurs in the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spinal regions.

Types of Disc Herniation

Disc herniation is categorized based on where exactly it is located.

• Lumbar or lower back disc herniation. A herniated disc can cause nerve compression in the lumbar spine and produce lower extremities symptoms such as sharp, burning, shooting pain, numbness, and sensation changes. The major herniation symptoms in the lumbar disc would radiate depending on where it is located. Other symptoms such as reduced range of motion in the lower back, difficulty walking, and localized lower back pain are also expected.
• Cervical herniation. A cervical disc herniation will produce symptoms in the upper extremity such as sharp and throbbing pain, reduced sensation, and numbness or tingling. Typically, these symptoms happen unilaterally, just on the side of the body. Also, the symptom’s specific location varies on the compressed nerve.
• Thoracic or mid-back herniation. A thoracic disc herniation will cause pain that radiates around the torso, usually impacting one side of the body. The symptoms of this condition include sharp, shooting, or electrical pain.

Causes and Risk Factors

Discs are located between the bones of the spinal column. They are made of an outer casing and have a gel-like center, which allows for flexibility and bending. Also, the gel in the discs absorbs shocks between the vertebrae.

With age, these discs lose flexibility and start to harden. When this happens, they become prone to teas. Herniated discs can result from one excessive strain or injury. But, a disc generation progress as you age. The risk of developing a herniated disc increases because of factors such as aging, obesity or being overweight, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and repetitive strenuous activity.

Treatment Options for Herniated Discs

Herniated discs can be treated with nonsurgical options or surgery. Often, initial treatment includes continuing gentle activity while avowing uncomfortable movements and position, applying cold or heat, taking medications, and undergoing physiotherapy. If nonsurgical treatment cannot reduce or stop the pain associated with a herniated disc, surgery may be recommended. Make sure to discuss the pros and cons of surgery with your doctor. Procedures that can be performed include discectomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion.