When one of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine becomes damaged, the inner gel-like matter can get forced out, impinging nerves in the surrounding area and causing pain and numbness in the limbs. When afflicted by the discomfort of spinal disc herniation Ashburn VA residents need to know that recovery is possible and what approaches to healing are offered.
In order to diagnose a patient with this condition, the physician will take a detailed medical history, conduct a physical examination, and most likely order diagnostic tests such as an MRI or a CT scan. The doctor will usually have a pretty good idea of where the herniated disc is located based on the nature of the patient's reported symptoms, and the imaging tests will usually confirm these suspicions.
Similar in some respect to degenerative disc disease, herniation actually stems from a different source and results in another classification of pain. The former occurs within the disc space and leads to axial pain. The latter happens due to aging or an injury, and is responsible for radicular, or nerve root pain. Most often seen in the lower spine, it can also produce sciatica, a painful sensation extending from the buttocks to the legs.
Lumbar herniations usually cause some degree of sciatic pain, with more discomfort being experienced in one or both legs than in the lower back in most cases. This is the most common type of herniation. Besides leg pain there may also be weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs and feet, and impairment of the ankle reflexes.
If there is no substantial improvement in the lumbar herniation patient six weeks after the problem was identified, the doctor will devise a treatment plan for him or her which consists of one or several non-surgical modalities. Common treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, epidural cortisone injections, oral steroids, hot and cold applications, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. Microdiscectomy or lumbar fusion surgery may be carried out if these initial measures fail.
Somewhat less common, cervical herniations are found in the neck, and are usually seen in young or middle-aged adults. Depending on the site of the nerve impingement, pain may be felt anywhere from the shoulder to the fingertips and in between. The arms are affected most often in the form of tingling and numbness along with discomfort. Some people may also find it hard to grip with their hands.
Pain due to cervical herniations will often respond well to non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, activity modification, chiropractic adjustment, traction, and bracing. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotic painkillers, both injectable and oral, and muscle relaxants can also be effective. When these measure fail to work, a simple surgical repair will normally lead to a complete recovery.
Thoracic, or herniations of the spine found in the chest region, are much less common than the other two types. In many instances, they will not even produce any symptoms. However, if a person does suffer pain in the upper back caused by a thoracic herniation, a non-surgical approach which involves the use of analgesic medications, anti-inflammatory injections, application of ice packs, chiropractic adjustments, and strengthening exercises, will usually result in healing. Decompression surgery is indicated only in cases of extreme pain or spinal cord dysfunction.
In order to diagnose a patient with this condition, the physician will take a detailed medical history, conduct a physical examination, and most likely order diagnostic tests such as an MRI or a CT scan. The doctor will usually have a pretty good idea of where the herniated disc is located based on the nature of the patient's reported symptoms, and the imaging tests will usually confirm these suspicions.
Similar in some respect to degenerative disc disease, herniation actually stems from a different source and results in another classification of pain. The former occurs within the disc space and leads to axial pain. The latter happens due to aging or an injury, and is responsible for radicular, or nerve root pain. Most often seen in the lower spine, it can also produce sciatica, a painful sensation extending from the buttocks to the legs.
Lumbar herniations usually cause some degree of sciatic pain, with more discomfort being experienced in one or both legs than in the lower back in most cases. This is the most common type of herniation. Besides leg pain there may also be weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs and feet, and impairment of the ankle reflexes.
If there is no substantial improvement in the lumbar herniation patient six weeks after the problem was identified, the doctor will devise a treatment plan for him or her which consists of one or several non-surgical modalities. Common treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, epidural cortisone injections, oral steroids, hot and cold applications, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. Microdiscectomy or lumbar fusion surgery may be carried out if these initial measures fail.
Somewhat less common, cervical herniations are found in the neck, and are usually seen in young or middle-aged adults. Depending on the site of the nerve impingement, pain may be felt anywhere from the shoulder to the fingertips and in between. The arms are affected most often in the form of tingling and numbness along with discomfort. Some people may also find it hard to grip with their hands.
Pain due to cervical herniations will often respond well to non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, activity modification, chiropractic adjustment, traction, and bracing. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotic painkillers, both injectable and oral, and muscle relaxants can also be effective. When these measure fail to work, a simple surgical repair will normally lead to a complete recovery.
Thoracic, or herniations of the spine found in the chest region, are much less common than the other two types. In many instances, they will not even produce any symptoms. However, if a person does suffer pain in the upper back caused by a thoracic herniation, a non-surgical approach which involves the use of analgesic medications, anti-inflammatory injections, application of ice packs, chiropractic adjustments, and strengthening exercises, will usually result in healing. Decompression surgery is indicated only in cases of extreme pain or spinal cord dysfunction.
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