A herniated disc, sometimes called a slipped or ruptured disc, happens when one of the soft cushions between the bones in your spine pushes out of place. The disc can put pressure on the spinal cord’s nearby nerves and cause pain, weakness or numbness. With the highest standard of care, most people find relief and get back to the activities they love.
A herniated disc can be a painful setback, but it doesn’t have to keep you from living life at your summit. Understanding your symptoms and treatment options is the first step toward recovery.
And thankfully, this condition is highly manageable. With Summit Orthopedics’ expert care, people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area can find relief from herniated disc pain and improve mobility.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
Your spine is made up of a stack of bones called vertebrae. Between these bones are soft, rubbery discs that act like shock absorbers. Think of them like tiny jelly doughnuts—each one has a soft, gel-like center and a tougher outer layer. A herniated disc occurs when the soft center pushes out through a tear in that outer layer.
A herniated disc can irritate or press on spinal nerves, most often in the lumbar spine (lower back) or the cervical spine (neck). The pain can be severe, sometimes making everyday activities challenging. However, with proper care, most individuals find significant relief.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
Symptoms of a herniated disc depend on where the disc is and whether it’s pressing on a nerve. You might feel:
- Back or neck pain that can range from a dull ache to sharp and intense
- Numbness or tingling in your arms, hands, legs or feet
- Pain that gets worse when you move, sneeze or cough
- Pain that travels into your arms or legs, often felt as sharp or shooting (also known as sciatica[JH1] )
- Weak muscles, which might make it hard to lift things or cause you to stumble
A note on serious symptoms: In rare cases, herniated discs can cause loss of bladder or bowel control. This is a medical emergency. Please call 911 or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room.
What Causes a Herniated Disc?
A disc can herniate for a few reasons. Often, it’s simply part of the aging process, but it could also be related to an injury. Causes include:
- Gradual wear and tear: As you get older, your spinal discs lose some water content and become less flexible. This makes them more likely to tear.
- Repetitive movements: Jobs or activities that involve a lot of bending, lifting or twisting can put extra stress on the spine over time.
- Sudden strain: Lifting a heavy object the wrong way or twisting suddenly can cause a disc to herniate.
Risk Factors for Herniated Discs
Certain factors can make you more likely to develop a herniated disc:
- Age: It’s most common in people between ages 30 and 50.
- Excess weight: Extra body weight puts more stress on the discs in your spine.
- Family history: You may have a genetic predisposition to disc problems.
- Physically demanding jobs: Heavy lifting or repetitive bending and twisting increase your risk.
- Sitting for long periods: This puts more pressure on your lower back.
- Smoking: Smoking can reduce the oxygen supply to the discs, causing them to break down more quickly.
How Is a Herniated Disc Diagnosed?
To find the source of your pain, a Summit Orthopedics spine specialist will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They will perform a physical exam to check your muscle strength, reflexes and sensation.
Based on this exam, your doctor will determine if imaging is needed. If it is, we will schedule it for you. These tests may include:
- CT scan with myelogram: This can show if the herniated disc is putting pressure on your spinal nerves.
- MRI: This creates detailed pictures of your spine and is the best test to see a herniated disc.
- X-rays: These don’t show the discs themselves but can help rule out other causes of pain, like a broken bone.
How to Heal a Herniated Disc
The good news is that most people feel better with time and do not need surgery. While a herniated disc may not return to its original shape, the herniation often shrinks or resolves, allowing you to return to normal activities. Healing can take several weeks to a few months. The key is to change your activities as needed and follow your doctor’s advice.
Nonsurgical Treatments
At Summit Orthopedics, surgery is always a last resort. We focus on nonsurgical herniated disc treatments, like these, first to help your body heal:
- Brief rest: Resting for a day or two can help, but it’s important not to stay in bed for too long. Gentle movement is key to recovery.
- Hot and cold therapy: Using ice packs or heating pads on the painful area can provide temporary relief.
- Lifestyle changes: Reaching a healthy weight and using good posture can reduce stress on your spine and help it heal.
- Medications: Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen or prescription muscle relaxers to ease painful spasms.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist will create a custom plan with exercises to strengthen your back and core muscles. This helps relieve pressure on the disc.
Herniated Disc Surgery
Most herniated discs get better without surgery. In fact, over 85% of patients with symptoms from a sudden herniated disc will find relief within 8 to 12 weeks, often without specific treatments. However, your doctor may discuss a surgical option if:
- You have evidence of serious nerve damage, like major weakness in your arm or leg.
- You still have significant pain after nonsurgical treatment.
- Your symptoms continue to get worse.
Common types of surgery include discectomy or microdiscectomy, where the surgeon removes only the part of the disc that’s pressing on a nerve.
How to Prevent Future Disc Problems
You can’t prevent all disc issues, but you can protect your back and lower your risk with healthy habits:
- Exercise regularly to keep your core and back muscles strong.
- Lift with your legs and keep your back straight—don’t bend at the waist.
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on your spine.
- Quit smoking to improve circulation to your discs.
- Take frequent breaks to stretch if you sit or drive for long periods.
- Use good posture when sitting and standing.
Your Partner in Spine Health
A herniated disc can be a painful journey, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics spine expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
