Herniated Disc

Herniated Disc Overview

• Causes

  A single excessive strain or injury may cause a herniated disc. However, disc material degenerates naturally as you age, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to rupture.

  Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to disc problems and, as a result, may suffer herniated discs in several places along the spine. Research has shown that a predisposition for herniated discs may exist in families, with several members affected.

• Herniated Disc Symptoms

  Symptoms vary greatly depending on the position of the herniated disc and the size of the herniation. If the herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, you may experience a low backache or no pain at all. If it is pressing on a nerve, there may be pain, numbness or weakness in the area of the body to which the nerve travels. Typically, a herniated disc is preceded by an episode of low back pain or a long history of intermittent episodes of low back pain.

  Lumbar spine (lower back): Sciatica frequently results from a herniated disc in the lower back. Pressure on one or several nerves that contribute to the sciatic nerve can cause pain, burning, tingling, and numbness that radiates from the buttock into the leg and sometimes into the foot. Usually one side (left or right) is affected. This pain often is described as sharp and electric shock-like. It may be more severe with standing, walking or sitting. Along with leg pain, you may experience low back pain.

  Cervical spine (neck): Symptoms may include dull or sharp pain in the neck or between the shoulder blades, pain that radiates down the arm to the hand or fingers, or numbness or tingling in the shoulder or arm. The pain may increase with certain positions or movements of the neck.

• Treatment

  Fortunately, the majority of herniated discs do not require surgery. However, a very small percentage of people with herniated, degenerated discs may experience symptomatic or severe and incapacitating low back pain, which significantly affects their daily life.

  The initial treatment for a herniated disc usually is conservative and nonsurgical. Your doctor may prescribe bed rest or advise you to maintain a low, painless activity level for a few days to several weeks. This helps the spinal nerve inflammation to decrease.

  A herniated disc frequently is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication if the pain is only mild to moderate. An epidural steroid injection may be performed utilizing a spinal needle under X-ray guidance to direct the medication to the exact level of the disc herniation.

  Your doctor may recommend physical therapy. The therapist will perform an in-depth evaluation, which, combined with the doctor's diagnosis, will dictate a treatment specifically designed for patients with herniated discs. Therapy may include pelvic traction, gentle massage, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and stretching exercises. Pain medication and muscle relaxants also may be beneficial in conjunction with physical therapy.

• Surgery

  Your doctor may recommend surgery if conservative treatment options, such as physical therapy and medications, do not reduce or end the pain altogether. He or she will talk to you about the types of spinal surgery available and, depending on your specific case, will help to determine what procedure might be an appropriate treatment for you. As with any surgery, a patient's age, overall health and other issues are taken into consideration when surgery is considered.

  The benefits of surgery always should be weighed carefully against its risks. Although a large percentage of patients with herniated discs report significant pain relief after surgery, there is no guarantee that surgery will help every individual.

  You may be considered a candidate for spinal surgery if:

  • Back and leg pain limits normal activity or impairs your quality of life
  • You develop progressive neurological deficits, such as leg weakness and/or numbness
  • You experience loss of normal bowel and bladder functions
  • You have difficulty standing or walking
  • Medication and physical therapy are ineffective
  • You are in reasonably good health 

• Diagnosis

  Diagnosis is made by a neurosurgeon based on your history, symptoms, a physical examination and results of tests, including the following:

  • X-ray: Application of radiation to produce a film or picture of a part of the body can show the structure of the vertebrae and the outline of the joints. X-rays of the spine are obtained to search for other potential causes of pain, i.e. tumors, infections, fractures, etc.
  • Computed tomography scan (CT or CAT scan): A diagnostic image created after a computer reads X-rays; can show the shape and size of the spinal canal, its contents, and the structures around it.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A diagnostic test that produces 3-D images of body structures using powerful magnets and computer technology; can show the spinal cord, nerve roots and surrounding areas, as well as enlargement, degeneration, and tumors.
  • Myleogram: An X-ray of the spinal canal following injection of a contrast material into the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid spaces; can show pressure on the spinal cord or nerves due to herniated discs, bone spurs or tumors.
  • Electromyogram and Nerve Conduction Studies (EMG/NCS): These tests measure the electrical impulse along nerve roots, peripheral nerves and muscle tissue. This will indicate whether there is ongoing nerve damage, if the nerves are in a state of healing from a past injury or whether there is another site of nerve compression. 

• Lumbar Spine Surgery

  Lumbar laminotomy is a procedure often utilized to relieve leg pain and sciatica caused by a herniated disc. It is performed through an incision down the center of the back over the area of the herniated disc. During this procedure, a portion of the lamina may be removed. Once the incision is made through the skin, the muscles are moved to the side so that the surgeon can see the back of the vertebrae. A small opening is made between the two vertebrae to gain access to the herniated disc. After the disc is removed through a discectomy, the spine must be stabilized. Spinal fusion often is performed in conjunction with a laminotomy. In more involved cases, a laminectomy may be performed.

  In artificial disc surgery, an incision is made through the abdomen, and the affected disc is removed and replaced. Only a small percentage of patients are candidates for artificial disc surgery. You must have disc degeneration in only one disc, between L4 and L5, or L5 and S1 (the first sacral vertebra). You must have undergone at least six months of treatment, such as physical therapy, pain medication or wearing a back brace, without showing improvement. You must be in overall good health with no signs of infection, osteoporosis or arthritis. If you have degeneration affecting more than one disc, or significant leg pain, you are not a candidate for this surgery.

• Surgical Terms

  • Artificial disc surgery — Surgical replacement of a diseased or herniated lumbar disc with a manufactured disc. The CHARITÉ artificial disc consists of a plastic core between two chrome plates that lock into the spine. The PRODISC-L is an artificial intervertebral disc made from metal and plastic that is used to treat pain associated with degenerative disc disease (DDD).
  • Discectomy — Surgical removal or partial removal of an intervertebral disc.
  • Laminectomy — Surgical removal of most of the bony arch, or lamina of a vertebra.
  • Laminotomy — An opening made in a lamina, to relieve pressure on the nerve roots.
  • Spinal Fusion — A procedure in which bone is grafted onto the spine, creating a solid union between two or more vertebrae; and in which instrumentation such as screws and rods may be used to provide additional spinal support.

• Prevention Tips

  Once you have recovered from surgery and checked with your doctor, you may resume moderate exercise. The following tips may be helpful in preventing low back pain and herniated discs.

  • Do crunches and other abdominal-muscle strengthening exercises to provide more spine stability. Swimming, stationary bicycling and brisk walking are good aerobic exercises that generally do not put extra stress on your back.
  • Use correct lifting and moving techniques, such as squatting to lift a heavy object. Don't bend and lift. Get help if an object is too heavy or awkward.
  • Maintain correct posture when you're sitting and standing.
  • If you smoke, quit. Smoking is a risk factor for artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which can cause lower back pain and degenerative disc disorders.
  • Avoid stressful situations if possible, as this can cause muscle tension.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight, especially around the midsection, can put strain on your lower back.

• Postsurgery

  Your doctor will give you specific instructions postsurgery and usually prescribe pain medication. He or she will help determine when you can resume normal activities such as returning to work, driving and exercising. Some patients may benefit from supervised rehabilitation or physical therapy after surgery. Discomfort is expected while you gradually return to normal activity, but pain is a warning signal that you might need to slow down.

• Cervical Spine Surgery

  The medical decision to perform the operation from the front of the neck (anterior) or the back of the neck (posterior) is influenced by the exact location of the herniated disc, as well as the experience and preference of the surgeon. A portion of the lamina may be removed through a laminotomy, followed by a discectomy. After the disc is removed, the spine often needs to be stabilized. This is accomplished using a cervical plate and screws (instrumentation), and, often, spinal fusion.