Slipped Disc

Joint Pain Treatment in Pune

What is a slipped disc?

Your spinal column is made up of a series of bones (vertebrae) stacked onto each other. From top to bottom, the column includes seven bones in the cervical spine, 12 in the thoracic spine, and five in the lumbar spine, followed by the sacrum and the coccyx at the base. These bones are cushioned by discs. The discs protect the bones by absorbing the shocks from daily activities like walking, lifting, and twisting.

What causes slipped discs?

A slipped disc occurs when the outer ring becomes weak or torn and allows the inner portion to slip out. This can happen with age. Certain motions may also cause a slipped disc. A disc can slip out of place while you are twisting or turning to lift an object. Lifting a very large, heavy object can place great strain on the lower back, resulting in a slipped disc. If you have a very physically demanding job that requires a lot of lifting, you may be at increased risk for slipped discs.

Overweight individuals are also at increased risk for a slipped disc because their discs must support the additional weight. Weak muscles and a sedentary lifestyle may also contribute to the development of a slipped disc.

As you get older, you are more likely to experience a slipped disc. This is because your discs begin to lose some of their protective water content as you age. As a result, they can slip more easily out of place. They are more common in men than women.

What are the symptoms of a slipped disc?

You can have a slipped disc in any part of your spine, from your neck to your lower back. The lower back is one of the more common areas for slipped discs. Your spinal column is an intricate network of nerves and blood vessels. A slipped disc can place extra pressure on the nerves and muscles around it.

Symptoms of a slipped disc include:

  • pain and numbness, most commonly on one side of the body
  • pain that extends to your arms or legs
  • pain that worsens at night or with certain movements
  • pain that worsens after standing or sitting
  • pain when walking short distances
  • unexplained muscle weakness
  • tingling, aching, or burning sensations in the affected area

The types of pain can vary from person to person. See your doctor if your pain results in numbness or tingling that affects your ability to control your muscles.

Make An Appointment

What is slipped disc or herniated disc?

The human spine is made up of a series of vertebrae (bones) stacked over one another. There are total 7 bones in the cervical spine, 12 in the thoracic spine, and five in the lumbar spine, followed by the sacrum and the coccyx at the base. A disc is present between every pair of bones which acts as a shock absorbent while performing daily activities like walking, lifting, and twisting.

Each disc has two parts: a soft, gelatinous inner portion and a tough outer ring. Slipped disc is a condition in which the inner portion of the disc protrudes through the outer ring. It is also known as herniated, or prolapsed disc. It causes pain and discomfort. If the slipped disc compresses one of your spinal nerves, you may also experience numbness and pain along the affected nerve. In severe instances, you may require surgery to remove or repair the slipped disc. People aged between 30 to 50 years are most likely to have slipped disc problem. It is more common in women than men.

Risk factors:

The exact cause of herniated disc is not clear. It can happen due to weakness in the outer part of the affected disc. Also various activities like sneezing, awkward bending, or heavy lifting may trigger the inner softer part of the disc to protrude out through the weakened outer part of the disc.

Factors That Can Increase Your Risk Of a Slipped Disc Include:

 

  • Weight:Excess body weight puts extra stress on the discs in your lower back which can trigger the inner softer part of the disc to protrude out.
  • Occupation:People who require repetitive lifting at work, pulling, pushing, bending sideways and twisting are at greater risk.
  • Genetics:It can be hereditary. If someone in your family has had slipped disc problem, then your risk may increase.
  • Smoking: As smoking lessens the oxygen supply to the disk, it causes it to break down more quickly.

Symptoms:

 

  1. Pain and numbness, most commonly on one side of the body
  2. Pain that extends to your arms or legs
  3. Pain that worsens at night or with certain movements
  4. Pain that worsens after standing or sitting
  5. Pain when walking short distances
  6. Unexplained muscle weakness
  7. Tingling, aching, or burning sensations in the affected area

 Non-Surgical Treatment of Slipped Disc at Painex Pune:

 

  1. Exercise and Movement: Keep performing your regular activities. Also perform exercises regularly. Ask your doctor for exercises which you can perform daily.
  2. Medication: Your pain specialists may recommend to take certain painkillers and neuromodulators for severe pain. Medication like Paracetamol, Anti-inflammatory painkillers, opioids can be given to reduce pain. A muscle relaxant drugs is sometimes prescribed for a few days if the back muscles become very tense and make the pain worse.
  3. Spinal Injections: Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Interlaminar Epidural Injections and Transforaminal injection are given into the opening at the side of the spine where the nerve roots exit. These injections reduce the inflammation and swelling of the spinal nerve roots and other tissues surrounding the spinal nerve root. It also reduces pain, tingling and numbness and other symptoms caused by such inflammation, irritation or swelling.
  4. Radio frequency Ablation: Radio frequency ablation (RFA) is a technique used to reduce pain. In this procedure, a radio wave produces an electrical current, which heats up a small area of nerve tissue. This curbs pain signals from that specific area. It is very beneficial for people with chronic lower back and neck pain and pain related to the degeneration of joints from arthritis.

As with any medical procedure, radio frequency ablation (RFA) is not appropriate for everyone. For example, radio frequency ablation is not recommended for people who have active infections or bleeding problems. Your doctor can tell you if you should not have an RFA.

Improve Your Life Again

Book quick Appointment
with our experts

Book quick Appointment
with our experts