Herniated Disc

Medical Service Name – Herniated Disc

A herniated disc, also referred to as bulged, ruptured, or slipped disc, is a fragment of the disc nucleus. The disc gets impelled out of the annulus. Then it enters the spinal canal via a rupture or tears present in the annulus. A herniated disc can happen in any possible area of the spine. It is the displacement that presses the disc on spinal nerves and causes pain. 

Possible Causes

A severe injury or single excessive strain can cause a herniated disc. Old age can also be the reason for this disc material degeneration. The weakening of ligaments can also be listed as one of the reasons. As the deterioration evolves, a twisting movement or a minor strain can lead a disc to rupture. 

Risk Factors

• Age – Age is one factor that may increase the chance of getting a lumbar herniated disc. Being between the ages of 35 and 50 is the most prevalent period. After the age of 80, the illness seldom manifests itself.  
• Gender – Men have nearly double the risk of lumbar herniated discs compared to women.
• Physically difficult work – A higher risk of getting a lumbar herniated disc has been related to jobs that entail heavy lifting and other physical activities. When you pull, push, or twist repeatedly, you’re increasing your danger.

Sign & Symptoms

There are no such common symptoms of herniated disc apart from the pain. It depends upon the size and position of the rupture. Generally, if the disc doesn’t pressurize on any nerve, the patient sometimes spots no pain or a low backache. There could be numbness or weakness in body areas from where the nerve travels for the opposite cases. 

There are two types of cases and their particular symptoms:

• Lumbar Spine (Lower Back): Radiculopathy or sciatica often occurs from lower back herniation. Pressure on the sciatica nerve leads to numbness, pain, tingling, and burning sensations in the buttock area. It covers the entire leg area and sometimes includes the foot as well. One can also undergo lower back pain, but the leg suffers the most in this case.
• Cervical Spine (Neck): Cervical radiculopathy results from nerve compression in the neck. This causes symptoms like sharp pain or dullness in the neck. This sensation can also take place amidst the shoulder blades. The pain may radiate down the arm, proceeding towards the hand or fingers. 

Diagnosis

There are some standard testing and diagnosis done to recognize the severity of the herniated disc. Below is the list of testing performed before deciding how to treat the issue:

• X-ray 
• CT or CAT Scan (Computed Tomography Scan)
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• Myelogram
• EMG/NCS (Electromyogram and Nerve Conduction Studies)  

Treatment Options at 7DMC

Initially, the treatment for these types of cases is non-surgical and conservative. It is generally treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. An epidural steroid injection is also exercised with a spinal needle under X-ray guidance. There are several therapies included for in-depth evaluation. This involves ultrasound, gentle massage, stretching exercises, pelvic traction, electrical muscle stimulation, and ice and heat therapy. 

We use an amalgamation of non-surgical and surgical methods to reduce the pain. Depending on the study on the patient’s conditions, our experts suggest the best way to deal with the issue. Surgeries are mainly performed in severe cases. Our motive is to resolve the degenerative disc disease of the spine naturally and effectively.          

Many believe the reduction of pain is the final stage. But there is a lot more to take care of after the treatment. Our experts keep a constant record of your progress and provide you with precautions you need to follow. 

We provide the best chiropractic adjustment in Dubai, benefitting your spinal health without the complications of surgery.