Does a herniated disc require surgery? While the condition sounds serious—and often causes pain, numbness, or weakness—surgery isn’t always the answer. Sometimes referred to as a bulging, slipped, ruptured, or protruding disc, every year more than three million Americans suffer with a herniated disc. But the question remains: does everyone with a herniated disc need surgery? Let’s explore the options.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc can occur in any part of your spine, but typically it affects the lower part of the spine, or the lumbar area. The other common area of concern is the neck, or cervical area. It rarely affects the middle of your back, known as the thoracic area. Due to wear and tear from movement, these discs that act as shock absorbers between your vertebrae can sometimes slip out of place. When this happens, it can press on nerves, causing discomfort or pain.
Signs of a Herniated Lumbar Disc
Symptoms for a herniated lumbar disc include:
- Back pain
- Tingling and numbness in your legs and feet
- Muscle weakness
- Also causes sciatic nerve pain which is a sharp pain that shoots down one side of your buttocks down into your leg
Signs of a Herniated Neck Disc
Symptoms of a herniated neck disc include:
- Pain near or between your shoulder blades
- Pain that travels from your neck down your arm to your and even sometimes to your hands and fingers
- Pain that increases when turning your neck or bending
- Numbness or tingling in your arms
When to Seek Treatment
Sometimes the pain and discomfort from a herniated disc may go away on its own. If you have tried resting, taking pain meds at home, and have applied ice and heat without any pain relief, it may be time to seek treatment from a board-certified spine specialist at Anderson Clinic.
What Are Treatment Options for a Herniated Disc?
Less than 10% of patients need surgery for a herniated disc, so don’t think you need to jump into a surgical treatment. There are many less invasive options that will work just as well and sometimes better.
Non-Prescription Pain Medications
Your spine specialist may suggest Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Naproxen for mild to moderate pain.
Neuropathic Pain Medications
Drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Venlafaxine are all drugs that affect nerve impulses to decrease pain.
Muscle Relaxers
These can help relieve pain.
Cortisone Injections
Your spine specialist may suggest injections if pain medications are not working.
Other Types of Conservative Treatments
- Acupuncture, physical therapy, and massage can be included with some of the above.
- Other types of non-surgical and non-invasive treatments may be recommended like heating pads, cold therapy, low impact aerobic exercises to name just a few.
- Counter irritants like Icy Hot and Tiger Balm distract your brain from feeling the pain of herniated discs.
- Pain from slipped discs seems to be worse at night. Your sleep posture with a better alignment can decrease the pain. Never sleep on your stomach. Place pillows or a wedge under your knees as it relieves pressure on your nerves.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Surgery is appropriate only when the conservative treatments have failed. It is often a last resort aimed at relieving severe symptoms and restoring quality of life when other options haven’t provided sufficient relief.
Contact Anderson Clinic to schedule a consultation for diagnosis and treatment recommendations that are right for you.
Sources:
Herniated Disc – Symptoms and Causes
5 Little-Known Tips for Lumbar Herniated Disc Pain Relief | Spine-health
