Joint and Spine

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is a common, treatable spine condition. Whether you need surgical or nonsurgical intervention, the experts at The Christ Hospital Health Network can help you get back to the life you love, faster.

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Overview

Spinal discs act as shock absorbers between the bones of your spine. Each disc has a soft, gel-like center surrounded by a tough outer layer—similar to a jelly donut. A herniated disc, also called a slipped disc or ruptured disc, occurs when the soft center pushes through a tear in the outer layer. This can irritate or compress nearby spinal nerves.

Pain may occur from the disc tear itself or from pressure on nearby nerves. A compressed nerve root can cause radiating nerve pain known as radiculopathy (pinched nerve)—often called sciatica when it affects the lower back and leg.

Causes & Risk Factors

A herniated disc can result from a sudden injury or gradual wear and tear. Some physical activities can increase your risk of a herniated disc, including:

High-impact activities
Lack of regular physical activity
Lifting heavy objects
Poor posture
Repetitive bending or twisting
Weak abdominal and back muscles

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Diagnosing Herniated Disc

A herniated disc usually causes pain that may feel like radiating, tingling or numbness in the affected area.

Signs & Symptoms

The most common symptom of a herniated disc is pain in the neck, shoulder blade, back, leg or foot. Other signs of a herniated disc may include:

Muscle spasm(s) in the neck or back
Numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg or foot
Radiating pain around your shoulder, arms or hands

Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose a herniated disc using one or more of the following tests:

Computed tomography (CT) scan—to produce detailed images to help diagnose spine damage.
Electromyography (EMG)—to test muscle response to nerve stimulation.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—to see detailed pictures of your spine.
Myelogram—we inject contrast dye into the spinal column to get a clearer image of the spine.
X-rays—of the spine.

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Herniated Disc Treatment

We treat a herniated disc with surgical or nonsurgical methods, depending on the severity of the herniation. You and your doctor can work together to determine the right course of treatment for you.

Nonsurgical Treatments

About 85 percent of herniated discs improve without surgery. Nonsurgical treatments focus on relieving pain and helping the disc heal. Nonsurgical treatment options include:

Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
Epidural steroid injections
Physical therapy
Rest and reduced activity

Surgical Treatments

We may recommend surgery if severe pain, weakness or limited movement continues despite treatment. Surgery to remove the herniated disc and reduce nerve compression has a high success rate. Minimally invasive methods available at The Christ Hospital help reduce tissue damage and support faster recovery.