WellSpine - Condition Herniated Disc

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Welcome!

Here at WellSpine, we offer a wide array of Minimally Invasive Surgery procedures, including but not limited to: Artificial Disk Replacement, Pedicle Screw Fixation, Cervical, Lumbar and Thoracic Discectomy, Decompression and Fusion. Dr. Batlle is fluent in Spanish as well!

SPINE CONDITIONS

SPINE TREATMENTS

Condition: Herniated Disc

Herniated discs are extremely common back injuries. They occur when the thick outer layer (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral spinal disc bulges or ruptures. Sometimes, the gel-like interior of the disc (nucleus pulposus) will actually break through the outer layer and leak out into the body. This is called a ruptured or extruded disc. You've probably heard people say they have a "slipped" or "ruptured" disc in the back. What they're actually describing is a herniated disc, a common source of lower back pain.

Discs are soft, rubbery pads found between the hard bones (vertebrae) that make up the spinal column. In the middle of the spinal column is the spinal canal, a hollow space that contains the spinal cord and other nerve roots. The discs between the vertebrae allow the back to flex or bend. Discs also act as shock absorbers. The outer edge of the disc is a ring of gristle-like cartilage called the annulus. The center of the disc is a gel-like substance called the nucleus. A disc herniates or ruptures when part of the center nucleus pushes the outer edge of the disc into the spinal canal, and puts pressure on the nerves. Low back pain affects four out of five people. So pain alone isn't enough to recognize a herniated disc. However, if the back pain is the result of a fall or a blow to your back, don't hesitate to contact a doctor. The most common symptom of a herniated disc is sciatica, a sharp, often shooting pain that extends from the buttocks down the back of one leg. This is caused by pressure on the spinal nerve. Other symptoms include: Weakness in one leg Tingling (a "pins-and-needles" sensation) or numbness in one leg loss of bladder or bowel control (If you also have weakness in both legs, you could have a serious problem. Seek immediate attention.)

Because there are so many causes of a herniated disc (and all back pain for that matter), each patient commands a different treatment plan. The first approach we take with all our patients is conservative, with treatment consisting of exercise, physical therapy or medication (or a combination therof). The majority of back problems go away in four to six weeks with moderate medical attention and pain medication. For those who fail conservative treatment there are now new microsurgical techniques that can offer appreciable relief.

Immediate surgery is necessary for cauda equina syndrome (bowel or bladder changes and/or numbness in the groin – this is an emergency, and needs immediate medical attention). Options include:

Laminectomy—removal of some of the bone overlying the spinal canal and of the protruding disc under that
Micro diskectomy—removal of fragments of herniated disc through a smaller incision without doing a laminectomy
Spinal fusion—fusing of vertebrae (back bones) together with bone grafts or metal rods (rarely done for first-time disc problems)

Disclaimer: The information and general healthcare guidelines may not be applicable to your health condition. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Medical treatment should be addressed by the professional healthcare practitioner of your choice. Neither WellSpinePA, our affiliates nor any contributors shall have any liability for the content or any errors or omissions in the information provided on this website.