Symptoms of a herniated disc vary depending on the affected nerve, and treatment methods at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital vary between treatment with medication, physical therapy, and surgical intervention. Follow this article with us to learn about the different methods of treating a herniated disc and when it becomes dangerous. 

What is a herniated disc?

It is a medical condition that occurs when the cartilage discs located between the vertebrae of the spine rupture and protrude from their normal place, which leads to pressure on the nerve roots located in the area of ​​​​the slip. 

A herniated disc is divided into three types based on where it occurs, which are as follows:

• Lumbar disc herniation: When protrusion occurs in the cartilage discs located between the lumbar vertebrae, it is the most common and widespread type. 
•  Cervical disc herniation: When a disc protrudes between the cervical vertebrae, it is the second most common type of herniation. 
• Thoracic disc herniation: When one of the cartilages between the thoracic vertebrae becomes out of place. It is considered the least common type of herniation.

Causes of herniated disc

The causes include slippage of the cartilage and protrusion of the cartilage from its normal place, as a result of:

• Carrying or lifting heavy objects incorrectly.
• There is weakness in the neck or back muscles.
• Getting older.
• Excess weight or obesity due to pressure on the spine. 
• Sitting for long periods. 
• Spinal injuries. 
• The presence of structural abnormalities in the spine.
• Sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity with weakness of the back and abdominal muscles.
• Genetic factors and family history of infection.

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Symptoms of a herniated disc

Symptoms associated with a herniated disc vary depending on the location and severity of the injury. Symptoms include the following:

• In cases of cervical disc herniation, severe pain is felt in the neck area, extending to the shoulder area, with muscle stiffness and difficulty in movement. The pain is severe when bending the neck, sneezing, or coughing. 
• In the case of a herniated thoracic disc, the pain spreads through the ribs and may reach the back, inability to breathe properly, and the pain is severe during sneezing and coughing. 
• In the case of a herniated lumbar disc, the pain is in the lower part of the back and may extend to the legs. In advanced cases, the patient may suffer from involuntary urination as a result of pressure on the nerves controlling the urination process and difficulty controlling the bladder and intestines. 

Treatment of herniated disc

The Orthopedic Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital is supervised by an elite group of consultants specialized in orthopedic medicine and surgery, who hold the highest academic degrees and have extensive experience in the subspecialties of orthopedic medicine and surgery. The quality of treatment for a herniated disc depends on the extent of the symptoms and the severity of the pain, and includes:

• Treatment with medications, oral or injected pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasms, and corticosteroid injections into the area around the nerve to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Physical therapyIn parallel with medications, such as stretching and muscle strengthening exercises, massage to straighten the spine, as well as heat and cold therapy to relieve pain. 
• Nerve root thermal frequency, an effective and long-term treatment to relieve pain, where low-frequency thermal waves are directed to the affected nerve roots using a special needle. These waves produce moderate heat that works to disrupt the nerve signals responsible for transmitting pain without. 
• Laser cartilage cauterization: One of the modern non-surgical techniques for treating a herniated disc, it relies on the use of laser rays to reduce the size of the herniated cartilage, where a fine needle is inserted into the place of the herniated disc and then laser rays are directed through the needle to vaporize part of the nucleus of the damaged cartilage, which relieves pressure on nearby nerves and reduces pain. 
• Microendoscopy: It is an advanced technique for treating cartilage by inserting a tiny endoscope into the spinal canal through a small incision in the skin in the area of ​​injury. The endoscope allows the doctor to clearly see the cartilage and nerves, determine the location of the slip, and then make precise repairs, such as removing part of the slipped cartilage or correcting pressure on the nerves.
• Surgical treatment for a herniated disc, in the event of failure or response to other treatments and loss of bowel or bladder control. Treatment includes resection of the herniated disc or resection of part of the vertebra to relieve pressure on the nerve, and fusion of the vertebrae to stabilize the spine. 

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Tips for patients with a herniated disc

Here are some important tips that can be followed to relieve the pain and symptoms associated with herniated discs and help prevent the condition from worsening and leading to surgical intervention. They are as follows:

• Rest and avoid stress, avoid activities that increase. 
• Use a supportive pillow while sitting and sleeping.
• Follow an exercise regime suitable for your condition after consulting a physical therapist, where the focus is on muscle strengthening and muscle flexibility exercises. 
• Maintain your body posture correctly, always keep your back straight while sitting and standing, avoid bending and leaning for long periods, and use a back-supporting chair while sitting. 
• Avoid lifting heavy objects, and when you need to lift heavy objects, use weight lifting techniques, including never bending to lift heavy objects, but rather bend the knees to approach the load, then use the muscles of the legs, not the back, when lifting. 
• Maintain your weight and avoid obesity because it puts pressure on the spine. 
• Quit smoking, as it affects the health of cartilage. 
• Avoid stress and anxiety as they increase pain. 
• Keep drinking enough water. 

Frequently asked questions

Can a herniated disc heal without treatment?

In cases of simple slippage that does not put significant pressure on the nerves, it can be healed by the body resorbing the slipped portion of the disc, thus reducing the pressure on the nerves. 

This usually happens at a young age or in small herniated disc cases, and if the person has a healthy lifestyle and exercises, all of this helps in healing the herniated disc without treatment. 

When does a herniated disc become dangerous?

A herniated disc becomes dangerous if the herniated disc puts significant pressure on the spinal cord, causing serious complications such as:

• Severe pain that does not respond to painkillers. 
• Difficulty moving and walking. 
• Loss of bowel and urinary bladder control.
• Cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition in which a herniated disc presses on the end of the spinal cord, causing severe pain in the lower back and legs, and numbness in the perineum. 

What is the difference between cartilage and herniated disc?

Cartilage is the rubbery cushion between the vertebrae of the spine. It is a flexible and strong connective tissue that allows the movement of the vertebrae and absorbs shocks. 

While a herniated disc is a pathological condition in which the hard outer part of the cartilage disc is torn, causing the soft inner part to move out of place and put pressure on the nerve roots in the area. 

When does a herniated disc need surgery?

Bone and joint doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital recommend surgical intervention for cases of herniated disc in the event that the condition does not respond to treatment with medications and physical therapy and in the following cases:

• The pain persisted for more than a month.
• Irritation of the sciatic nerve. 
• Cauda equina syndrome.
•  Loss of bowel or bladder control. 
• Severe neural tube stenosis.
• Severe muscle weakness in the legs or hands. 

Developing an appropriate treatment plan and choosing the appropriate type of treatment for a herniated disc is golden vinegar to speed up the healing process and avoid serious complications. 

The Orthopedic Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital provides various and distinguished services in the field of orthopedic medicine and surgery, characterized by high quality and appropriate medical or surgical intervention at the right time, due to the great experience enjoyed by the medical staff within the Orthopedic Center, which is equipped with the latest medical equipment in the world.

You can contact us on our numbers listed on the website for more details, reservations and inquiries. 

Medical references 

Disc Herniation – ncbi

Herniated Disk in the Lower Back – orthoinfo

Herniated Disc – aans