A herniated spinal disc can cause considerable pain for those afflicted with it. Damage to the outer part of the disc, results in the inner material pushing out and exerting pressure on surrounding nerves, leading to painful symptoms. If suffering from spinal disc herniation Ashburn VA patients should know which treatment options are available to them.
In order to diagnose a patient with this condition, the physician will take a detailed medical history, conduct a physical examination, and most likely order diagnostic tests such as an MRI or a CT scan. The doctor will usually have a pretty good idea of where the herniated disc is located based on the nature of the patient's reported symptoms, and the imaging tests will usually confirm these suspicions.
Similar in some respect to degenerative disc disease, herniation actually stems from a different source and results in another classification of pain. The former occurs within the disc space and leads to axial pain. The latter happens due to aging or an injury, and is responsible for radicular, or nerve root pain. Most often seen in the lower spine, it can also produce sciatica, a painful sensation extending from the buttocks to the legs.
Herniations in the lower or lumbar region of the spine are the most frequently occurring type and are often responsible for the painful condition called "sciatica". Pinched nerves in the spine cause pain which runs across the buttocks and into one or both legs. There may also be a numb or tingling sensation in the feet and legs, and the reflexes of the ankles may be impaired.
When a patient suffering from a lumbar herniation does not improve after six weeks, the physician will most likely implement one or a combination of non-surgical approaches. These treatments can include hot and cold therapy, chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, oral steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and epidural cortisone injections. Should these methods fail to provide relief, surgical procedures such as a microdiscectomy or lumbar fusion surgery may be indicated.
Somewhat less common, cervical herniations are found in the neck, and are usually seen in young or middle-aged adults. Depending on the site of the nerve impingement, pain may be felt anywhere from the shoulder to the fingertips and in between. The arms are affected most often in the form of tingling and numbness along with discomfort. Some people may also find it hard to grip with their hands.
Non-surgical options for cervical herniations include administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, which may be sufficient for some people, if not then other therapies may be explored such as traction, physical therapy, bracing, activity modification, and chiropractic care. Muscle relaxants, as well as oral or injectable pain killers may be helpful too. If none of these measures are effective, surgical repair is typically recommended.
Thoracic, or herniations of the spine found in the chest region, are much less common than the other two types. In many instances, they will not even produce any symptoms. However, if a person does suffer pain in the upper back caused by a thoracic herniation, a non-surgical approach which involves the use of analgesic medications, anti-inflammatory injections, application of ice packs, chiropractic adjustments, and strengthening exercises, will usually result in healing. Decompression surgery is indicated only in cases of extreme pain or spinal cord dysfunction.
In order to diagnose a patient with this condition, the physician will take a detailed medical history, conduct a physical examination, and most likely order diagnostic tests such as an MRI or a CT scan. The doctor will usually have a pretty good idea of where the herniated disc is located based on the nature of the patient's reported symptoms, and the imaging tests will usually confirm these suspicions.
Similar in some respect to degenerative disc disease, herniation actually stems from a different source and results in another classification of pain. The former occurs within the disc space and leads to axial pain. The latter happens due to aging or an injury, and is responsible for radicular, or nerve root pain. Most often seen in the lower spine, it can also produce sciatica, a painful sensation extending from the buttocks to the legs.
Herniations in the lower or lumbar region of the spine are the most frequently occurring type and are often responsible for the painful condition called "sciatica". Pinched nerves in the spine cause pain which runs across the buttocks and into one or both legs. There may also be a numb or tingling sensation in the feet and legs, and the reflexes of the ankles may be impaired.
When a patient suffering from a lumbar herniation does not improve after six weeks, the physician will most likely implement one or a combination of non-surgical approaches. These treatments can include hot and cold therapy, chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, oral steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and epidural cortisone injections. Should these methods fail to provide relief, surgical procedures such as a microdiscectomy or lumbar fusion surgery may be indicated.
Somewhat less common, cervical herniations are found in the neck, and are usually seen in young or middle-aged adults. Depending on the site of the nerve impingement, pain may be felt anywhere from the shoulder to the fingertips and in between. The arms are affected most often in the form of tingling and numbness along with discomfort. Some people may also find it hard to grip with their hands.
Non-surgical options for cervical herniations include administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, which may be sufficient for some people, if not then other therapies may be explored such as traction, physical therapy, bracing, activity modification, and chiropractic care. Muscle relaxants, as well as oral or injectable pain killers may be helpful too. If none of these measures are effective, surgical repair is typically recommended.
Thoracic, or herniations of the spine found in the chest region, are much less common than the other two types. In many instances, they will not even produce any symptoms. However, if a person does suffer pain in the upper back caused by a thoracic herniation, a non-surgical approach which involves the use of analgesic medications, anti-inflammatory injections, application of ice packs, chiropractic adjustments, and strengthening exercises, will usually result in healing. Decompression surgery is indicated only in cases of extreme pain or spinal cord dysfunction.
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For treatments on your spinal disc herniation Ashburn VA spine clinic is the right place to be. Schedule for an examination as soon as possible through this link http://ashburnspinecare.com.
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