Herniated Disk Treatment Options
Having a herniated disk in your neck can be a painful condition. However, there are several treatment options that you can consider. Several methods of treatment are offered, including physical therapy, imaging tests, and a Discectomy.
Physical therapy
Using physical therapy for herniated disks is an effective way to treat this type of back pain. It can help reduce pain, improve circulation, and teach you how to move properly. In addition to these benefits, physical therapy can also help you learn how to reduce the risk of recurrence of herniated disks.
Physical therapy for herniated disks can include stretching and strengthening exercises. These exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the back, neck, and legs. They can also help reduce the stress on your spine and allow it to heal faster. The right exercise program can also help you improve your posture.
The physical therapist will design a program that will help you get back to your normal activities. The physical therapist will work closely with your physician and surgeon to determine the best treatment options. In some cases, surgery may be required.
The physical therapist will also help you recover from surgery. They will perform passive and active exercises to help strengthen and stretch your muscles. They will also show you how to modify your activity to reduce the risk of recurrence.
The physical therapist will also work closely with your doctor to determine the best treatment options for your herniated disk. They will help you develop an exercise program, reduce pain, and learn how to move properly. They will also teach you how to perform these exercises at home.
In addition to reducing pain and strengthening muscles, physical therapy for herniated disks can help you learn how to protect your back and neck. The therapist will teach you how to perform body mechanics correctly to prevent future injuries. The therapist will also teach you how to perform exercises that will help improve your flexibility and reduce the pain.
Spinal injections
Using spinal injections for herniated disks can be a great way to relieve pain and help you recover from the condition. However, you need to make sure you get the right one. Whether you are using them for diagnostic purposes or for pain relief, they are a safe and effective way to do so.
An injection of anti-inflammatory medication can reduce inflammation in the area around your spinal cord and nerves. This can alleviate the pain you are feeling and allow you to continue with physical therapy. If you are experiencing pain that radiates from your back, an epidural injection may be right for you.
In addition to using an injection to help alleviate your pain, you may also want to undergo physical therapy to help alleviate pressure on damaged discs. Physical therapy can also help you to regain flexibility and strength. These treatments can help you avoid surgery for longer.
X-rays of your spine can help your doctor determine where the needle should be placed. This is done with a machine that can guide the needle to the right location. The doctor then injects an anesthetic and steroid into the painful spot. This is a procedure that can take from 15 minutes to an hour.
Another option is to get an epidural steroid injection. These can be performed by a doctor who specializes in pain management. The procedure can help alleviate pain for weeks or months.
An epidural can be a great way to determine whether you need surgery. However, it is not a cure for herniated disks. Some patients have found the procedure to be ineffective. If your pain is not relieved by an epidural, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Discectomy
A discectomy is a surgery that is done to remove a portion of a herniated disc, which may be causing pain in your back or neck. This surgery works quickly and usually gives you relief from the pain. However, recovery may take some time.
Herniated disks can occur at any level in the spine, but they are most common in the lumbar region. The pain and swelling that occur can be very painful, causing difficulty walking and standing. A herniated disk can also press on nearby nerves, causing numbness, tingling, and other symptoms.
During a diskectomy, the surgeon accesses the herniated disc through an incision in the back or neck. The surgeon then removes the part of the disk causing pressure on the nerve root. A diskectomy may be helpful for pain that travels from the back to the legs, but it isn’t always helpful.
Depending on where your herniated disc is, your surgeon may need to remove some bone to access the nerve root. The surgery may also require bone replacement, or fusion, which connects the vertebrae with metal hardware. These surgeries are typically performed under general anesthesia.
Diskectomy can also be performed under endoscopic or minimally invasive techniques. The minimally invasive method uses a small incision and may be less painful. The surgeon uses a small camera to access the disk and the surrounding tissues. This surgery may be performed as an outpatient procedure, depending on the location of the disk.
In some cases, the surgeon may need to remove bone spurs or a synovial cyst to access the nerve root. These surgeries can take longer to complete, so patients may need to wait between 6 and 8 weeks to resume activities such as lifting heavy objects.
Imaging tests
Whether you are having lower back pain or neck pain, imaging tests may help to confirm the diagnosis of a herniated disk. The tests can also help to identify the cause of the pain. The tests can help determine whether or not a surgical procedure is necessary.
An MRI is the most accurate imaging test for a herniated disk. MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce images of the inside of the body. The images are cross-sectional, which allows the imaging team to see the exact location of the herniated disc.
An electromyogram is another test that can help to determine whether or not a nerve has been damaged by a herniated disc. The test is performed by placing a small needle in the muscle. The test uses special contrast dye to show the pressure on the nerve.
CT scans and fluoroscopy are also useful. CT scans take a series of x-rays from different directions and can be useful in determining the cause of pain. Fluoroscopy uses a contrast material and allows real-time “movie” of the body structures. The images are then merged to create a cross-sectional image of the spine.
Plain x-rays are sometimes used to check for fractures. They can also look for bone spurs and infections. Some physicians prefer to perform CT scans instead of plain x-rays.
Myelograms are also useful in determining the location of a herniated disk. They use a special contrast dye to make sure the slipped disk is at the correct level. This test can also show the pressure on the nerves or spinal cord that is caused by bone spurs.
An X-ray can also be used to find out whether or not a herniated disc is present. This is particularly useful in cases of suspected cauda equina syndrome.
Treatment
During the initial treatment of a herniated disk, a doctor will perform a physical examination and will ask you questions about the pain you are experiencing. He or she will also test your reflexes and will determine how much movement you are capable of.
A physical therapist can help you develop an exercise program to help reduce your pain and get you back to normal activities. He or she may also use other therapies, such as massage, ultrasound, ice and heat, and pelvic traction. He or she may also work closely with your physician to ensure that you are getting the best treatment.
Medications, including pain medication, may also be used in conjunction with physical therapy. Several drugs are available to reduce pain, including opioids, such as codeine and oxycodone-acetaminophen. Some doctors hesitate to prescribe opioids, however, because they can cause sedation and dizziness.
If your pain persists, your doctor may recommend surgery. Your doctor will discuss with you the risks and benefits of surgery. A large percentage of patients report significant pain relief after surgery.
Surgical procedures may include surgery to remove part of a herniated disk. Surgeons may also use metal hardware to help stabilize the spinal column. The metal hardware may take several months to fuse.
Your doctor may also recommend an epidural steroid injection. This type of injection is performed with a spinal needle under X-ray guidance. This injection can reduce inflammation and pain.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications, such as steroids and NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed for mild to moderate pain. NSAIDs may cause side effects such as nausea and dizziness.
Physical therapy is also a common treatment for herniated disks. Physical therapists can assess your strength and muscle weakness, and recommend exercises to reduce the pain and improve your posture.
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