What Happens When You Suffer From a Herniated Disc?

A constant pain in the lower back and uncontrollable weakness in the legs or feet is a common symptom for people who suffer from a herniated (bulging) disc. Although the symptoms can be different, the cause is often the same -- a disk in the spine has herniated, and is exerting pressure on a nerve root.

What is a Herniated Disc?

Herniate means to bulge or stick out. Discs are defined as the soft cushions between the bones of the spine. A herniated disc is a displaced fragment of nucleus that is pushed through a tear in the outer layer of the disc (annulus). Often when a disc is herniated, it is in the early stages of degeneration or in a declining phase from its normal state. Herniated discs are common in the lumbar spine, a part of the backbone that is between the bottom of the ribs and hips.

What Causes it?

Activity, stress or mechanical problems often cause herniated discs. A herniated disc may even be caused by a single excessive strain. The compression and sharp pain a person feels down the leg because of the slipped disk, is called sciatica.

Treatment Options

Initial treatment for a herniated disc is conservative or non-operative, and usually involves resting the lower back area, maintaining a comfortable posture and allowing only minimal activity for a few days or up to several weeks. This resting period results in relief from any spinal nerve inflammation. Non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory medication such as Motrin, Advil or Nuprin, may be offered to patients. More activity is often permissible after the pain medication is taken for at least two days. In addition, physical therapy may be beneficial under the guidance of a physical therapist. Physical therapy remedies may include traction, ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation.

A main goal of treatment is to decrease the amount of muscle spasm a patient is experiencing. When pain is severe, difficult to cure through conservative treatment and involves nerve damage, a neurological surgeon may be called in to remove the disc material using procedures such as a discectomy (surgical removal of the disc) or laminotomy (surgical division of a vertebral lamina). When the disc is removed, the pressure on the nerve should disappear, which may relieve pain and permanently restore any lost muscle function. After a laminotomy or discectomy, 80 to 85 percent of patients do extremely well and are able to return to normal everyday activities in about six weeks time. However, the majority of people who suffer from disc herniation, (90 percent), do not require surgical treatment.

Who Does it Affect?

People who are 30 to 40 years of age are most commonly affected by herniated discs. Research shows that a predisposition for slipped discs may occur in families, often affecting several members.

Recovery Period

Most people suffering from a herniated disc can recover in about four weeks, or sometimes longer. If patients experience numbness or pain after four to six weeks, it makes sense to consult their doctor. Surgery may be needed to relieve the pain.

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