The most common herniations affect the lumbar spine and neck. Most herniated disks occur when a disc’s jelly-like nucleus pushes against the outer ring, causing it to bulge or herniate. This pressure can cause pain, numbness or weakness in the back or neck. Symptoms typically increase with certain movements or postures, especially bending, twisting and lifting.

Herniated Disc Solutions: Non-Surgical and Surgical Options

Most Herniated Disc Solutions improve on their own or with treatment. Noninvasive/nonsurgical treatments include avoidance of painful activities, getting the proper amount of rest, pelvic traction, gentle massage, heat and cold therapy, stretching exercises and over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. This type of treatment typically decreases symptoms within a few days or weeks. If nonsurgical treatment is unsuccessful, doctors may recommend epidural steroid injection, which involves directing medication directly to the herniated disc using a spinal needle under X-ray guidance.

Your doctor can diagnose a herniated disc by taking your medical history, performing a physical examination and ordering diagnostic tests. X-rays of the lumbar spine area are usually normal but can show other conditions such as a bone tumor or spinal alignment problems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and powerful magnets to create detailed images of your body’s inner structures, including the spinal cord and nerve roots.

During a discektomy, your surgeon will remove part of the bone covering your spinal canal (lamina) to access the herniated disk. Your surgeon will also likely fuse together the bones on either side of your herniated disk to stop them from moving and causing pain, which is known as spinal fusion.