If you have been diagnosed with a slipped disc, you may be confused about the information you have found when you research that condition. A slipped disc is a term often used to describe various types of damaged discs within the spine, such as a herniated disc, torn disc, ruptured disc or bulging disc. Because “slipped disc” is a commonly used term for these conditions, it’s understandable to feel a little overwhelmed at the prospect of finding real answers about your condition and what you can do for pain relief.
A slipped disc may not cause symptoms unless it irritates a nerve or the spinal cord. Symptoms depend on the disc’s location—lumbar disc issues can cause pain, tingling, or weakness in the lower back, hips, legs, and feet, while cervical disc problems may affect the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
The lumbar spine is most commonly affected due to wear and tear. Terms like bulging, herniated, ruptured, or torn disc describe this condition more accurately.
Most slipped discs are caused by gradual wear and tear as discs lose water and flexibility with age. Dry, brittle discs can’t cushion the spine effectively and become prone to bulging, tearing, or herniation. Daily stress or even mild pressure can worsen the damage. In some cases, a sudden injury or trauma, especially in youth, can also lead to a slipped disc.
While aging is unavoidable, certain lifestyle factors — such as having poor posture, regularly lifting heavy objects, participating in high-impact sporting activities, smoking and carrying excess body weight — can accelerate the spinal degeneration process. Workers in occupations that require repetitive lifting, bending and twisting, as well as those in jobs that involve whole-body vibration, such as long-distance truck driving, and long periods of sitting, also have a heightened risk of developing degenerative spine conditions. In general, the level of risk increases along with the length of time an individual performs such work.
Additionally, some individuals are genetically predisposed to developing degenerative spine conditions such as a slipped disc.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a slipped disc, your doctor will likely prescribe conservative treatments such as rest, pain medication or lifestyle changes to begin with. These nonsurgical treatments can be highly effective at controlling pain and discomfort and can help many patients avoid the need for a slipped disc surgery. In most cases, doctors will recommend a combination of conservative options for the first few weeks of treatment, using a process of trial and error to identify a plan that works for each individual patient. The most common conservative treatment options include:
Surgery for a slipped disc
Most people start to experience improved symptoms after just a few months of slipped disc treatment. However, if you continue to experience severe, limiting pain that persists after nonsurgical treatment, slipped disc surgery may be advised. Total Spine & Orthopedics provides outpatient, minimally invasive spine surgery that addresses the symptoms of a slipped disc without the need for traditional open back surgery. Our procedures offer patients a shorter recovery time and lower risk of complication compared to traditional open neck or back surgery.
