subject: The Basics Of A Bulging, Or Herniated Disc [print this page] The Basics Of A Bulging, Or Herniated Disc
As many of us approach the age of 60 we start feeling more aches and pains, and more often than not these originate from our neck or back. However sometimes the problem is far more serious and becomes chronic and debilitating. We may develop a herniated disc. What really causes this condition and more importantly what can be done to fix it?
The spinal cord in a human being's back consists of a very many little bones. These bones are joined together to form a unit called the vertebra. Well the vertebrae are joined together forming the spine, and are subsequently separated by certain discs. These discs are a combination of some jelly like matter, surrounded completely by some form of overlaying tissue, just like an onion. Through time, the lifting of heavy loads and using excessive back muscle hardens the jelly like tissue within the disc. When this takes place, the disc hardens and changes its shape. In the long run, it bulges out and ruptures across the surrounding tissue.
A possible cause of back pain, especially the lower back is due to the constant pressure exerted on the sensitive root nerve by the now hardened disc. Whenever the bulging tissue comes into contact with the nerves which are surrounding the disc area, they compress them and will cause the pain that we feel radiating from their back.
A bulging disc, or herniated disc, may not be the only reason for the suffering back pain. There are various types of muscle aches, sciatic nerve pain, and minor back spasms that can trigger the muscle pain that someone is feeling. In fact, most of the effects of bulging of the disc might not be felt directly on the back. The reason for this is that the disc and the nerves have a way in which the pain is radiated or communicated into some other section of the body. This means that the pain might be revealed or felt at some other part of the body like your leg. A pinching pain, or one that feels like a stab from a needle, constantly happening in the leg, thigh foot are, might be an indicator of some form of rupture of one of your discs.
When pain persists for extended periods of time a doctor may send you get a X-Ray, CT scan, or an MRI to get a deeper insight into the root cause of the problem. Oftentimes these tests reveal a ruptured or herniated disc. Treatment options ranges from nonsurgical (medical) management and pain management to surgery. Medical management includes patient education of the condition, prescription medications to relieve pain and muscles spasm, cortisone injections around the spinal cord (epidural injection), various forms of physical therapy (heat, massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation), and rest (not strict bed rest, but avoiding re-injury). With unrelenting pain, severe impairment of function, or incontinence (which can indicate spinal cord irritation), surgery may be necessary. The operation performed depends on the overall status of the spine, and the age and health of the patient. Procedures include removal of the herniated disc with laminotomy (a small hole in the bone of the spine surrounding the spinal cord), laminectomy (removal of the bony wall), by needle technique through the skin (percutaneous discectomy), disc- dissolving procedures and newer non invasive treatments such as Duek Spinal Disc Repair.
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