Herniated Disc Specialist

What is a herniated disc?

Between each of your vertebrae are protective discs that absorb the shock of your movements and prevent bones from rubbing together. The discs have a tough, rubbery outer layer and a soft center. While durable, discs can be damaged by injury or degenerative disease.

When a herniated disc is under pressure, its soft center can push through the outer layer, pressing on the surrounding nerves in the spine. This pressure irritates the nerves, leading to chronic pain and other symptoms.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

It’s possible to have a herniated disc without experiencing symptoms. But a herniated disc can also cause problems that range from mild to debilitating.

When the center of the disc pushes on the spinal nerves, you can experience:

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Persistent pain

If the herniated disc is in your cervical spine, you could have a limited range of motion or sharp pain in your neck that moves into your arms and fingers. A herniated disc in your lumbar spine can cause a burning pain in your lower back that radiates into your buttocks and legs.

How is a herniated disc diagnosed?

During your evaluation, Dr. Roh and Dr. Ojeyemi perform a physical exam, assessing the range of motion in your spine and checking for areas of pain. In many cases, your symptoms can help them determine if you have a herniated disc.

Imaging tests like an MRI or X-ray can show areas where a damaged disc is pressing on your nerves, confirming your diagnosis.

What treatments are available for a herniated disc?

If you aren’t having chronic pain or mobility issues, Dr. Roh and Dr. Ojeyemi will probably take a wait-and-see approach to treating the damaged disc.

When a herniated disc is causing pain and other symptoms that interfere with your quality of life, Dr. Roh and Dr. Ojeyemi create a treatment with the goal to ease your pain and give your body a chance to heal.

If over-the-counter medications aren’t enough to relieve pain, you could benefit from epidural steroid injections that deliver medications directly to the affected nerve to reduce pain and inflammation.

Herniated discs that cause severe pain that makes it difficult to work or stay physically active often require surgery to remove the damaged disc.

For more information about treatments available for a herniated disc, call the Orthopedics & Wellness office nearest you or book a consultation online today.