Your spinal column provides support for the rest of your body, and there are disks in between your vertebrae that cushion your spinal column. There are some situations where you may suffer a herniated disk, and we can help you treat this condition. We are the offices of Dr. Darryl Robinson, MD, and we have already helped countless people suffering or diagnosed with herniated disks. Learn more about this condition below, and reach out to us to schedule an appointment here in OKC. We would be pleased to develop a comprehensive treatment plan to meet your needs.
What Is a Herniated Disk?
A herniated disk is a condition that takes place when the cushion between your vertebrae ruptures. It is the job of your spinal disks to prevent your spinal column from absorbing shocks. Without these disks, you would feel shooting pains traveling down your spinal column.
Over time, your disks might start to weaken. You may have degenerative disk disease, or your disks are simply getting weaker because you get older. Eventually, one of your disks may herniate, causing the vertebrae in your back to rub together. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including back pain.
What causes a Herniated Disk?
In general, disk herniation is an acute condition. If you flex your back to an extreme extent, you may put too much stress on the disks in your spinal column. This could cause one of them to herniate, leading to significant back pain.
One of the most common situations where people suffer a herniated disk is in a motor vehicle accident. If your chest flies forward over your knees, it could place too much stress on the disks in your back. You may suffer a disk herniation.
You may also suffer a herniated disk if you lift a heavy object without the right support. If you need to lift something heavy, use your legs, not your back. Putting too much pressure on your back, one of the disks in your spinal column might herniate.
In most cases, herniated disks will develop in any location in your spinal column; however, the most common location is between L3 and L4 or between L4 and L5. If you have suffered a herniated disk, there is a good chance it is in any one of these two locations.
What Are the Most Common Herniated Disk Symptoms?
There are several common symptoms that people notice with a herniated disk. Some of the most common examples of herniated disk symptoms include:
- You may develop shooting pains that travel down your arms and legs. If your herniated disk is in the lumbar region of your back, you may feel shooting pains traveling down one or both of your legs.
- You may also sense numbness or tingling in certain parts of your body. A herniated disk can impact the nerves in your spine, where numbness and tingling can come from.
- You may also sense muscle weakness. If a herniated disk compresses one of the nerves responsible for powering a group of muscles, it may prevent you from using them the way you want.
Based on the clinical presentation of a herniated disk, we can figure out where it is located. We will generally reinforce this diagnosis with imaging scans to ensure we understand exactly where the disk herniation occurs.
How Is a Herniated Disk Diagnosed?
Typically, a herniated disk is diagnosed using a combination of clinical history and imaging scans. The doctor will look for a combination of the symptoms mentioned above. Then, based on these symptoms, if the doctor still suspects a herniated disk, they may order imaging scans.
This could include x-ray images or an MRI. On an x-ray, the doctor will look for narrowing between two vertebrae where a herniated disk may have taken place. On an MRI, the doctor may be able to visualize the disk, looking for signs that it has herniated.
What Non-Surgical Herniated Disk Treatment Options Are Available?
Some people may require surgery to fix a herniated disk, but that is not universal. At Oklahoma Spine and Pain Management, we have plenty of treatment options available for a herniated disk, and we may be able to save you a trip to the operating room.
Our philosophy is to meet each client for a comprehensive evaluation and then determine a plan of care unique to each person.
Our best recommendation is to set up an appointment with Dr. Robinson to discuss your unique needs.
Contact Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management To Make an Appointment for Herniated Disk Treatment in OKC
Herniated disks are one of the reasons why people develop lower back pain. You do not need to live with the pain if you have a herniated disk. At Oklahoma Spine and Pain Management, we have plenty of treatment options available, and you might not have to set foot in an operating room. We will ensure exactly where the herniation has taken place, and we will work with you to customize a treatment plan to meet your needs. We aim to help you recover from this condition as quickly as possible. Please schedule an appointment with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A herniated disk occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disk protrudes through the tough outer layer of the spine. This can cause pain, numbness, or weakness, typically in the back, legs, or arms, depending on where the affected disk is located.
Pain doctor Darryl Robinson, MD, specializes in managing pain, including that caused by herniated disks. He employs various interventional approaches to help alleviate discomfort while improving function.
Here are some ways he can help:
Comprehensive Evaluation: Dr. Robinson begins by thoroughly assessing the patient’s medical history, and symptoms, and conducting a physical examination. Diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans may also be used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the herniation.
Pain Management Techniques: Dr. Robinson offers a range of treatments to manage herniated disk pain. This may include medication therapy such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or prescription pain relievers to alleviate discomfort.
Physical Therapy: He may recommend physical therapy exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, improve flexibility, and promote proper posture. These exercises can help reduce pressure on the affected disk and alleviate pain over time.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: In cases where conservative treatments aren’t effective, Dr. Robinson may suggest minimally invasive procedures such as epidural steroid injections or nerve blocks. These techniques deliver medication directly to the affected area, providing targeted pain relief and reducing inflammation.
Surgical Referral if Necessary: While surgery is usually considered a last resort, if conservative treatments fail to provide relief or if there are signs of severe nerve compression, Dr. Robinson can refer patients to a qualified spine surgeon for further evaluation and consideration of surgical options.
Patient Education and Support: Throughout the treatment process, Dr. Robinson emphasizes patient education, providing information about the condition, treatment options, and strategies for managing symptoms at home. He ensures that patients feel empowered and actively involved in their care.
By combining his expertise in holistic pain management with a compassionate approach, Dr. Robinson helps patients with herniated disk pain regain function, alleviate discomfort, and improve their quality of life.
Book a ConsultationHerniated disks can sometimes heal on their own, but this largely depends on the severity of the herniation and the individual’s body’s ability to repair itself.
In many cases, conservative treatments are necessary to manage pain and promote healing. Dr. Darryl Robinson and his team at the Offices of Interventional Pain can assist you in navigating your herniated disk pain.
Book a ConsultationHere are the best treatment options for herniated disks:
- Medications like anti-inflammatory pain relievers or muscle relaxants
- Physical therapy
- Spinal injections (epidural or nerve block)
- Surgery
Remember, depending on your unique situation and its severity, the treatment method may vary.
Book a ConsultationEach person responds to treatment for a herniated disk differently. When using non-surgical treatments like painkillers and injections, you may start to feel better within a few days, and it may take up to six weeks for the pain to entirely go away. However, surgery might be required if non-surgical treatments are unable to relieve your pain. The healing process following surgery can go on for several months.
Book a ConsultationYes, if carried out properly by trained practitioners, chiropractic treatment for herniated disks is safe. Through a variety of methods, including spinal adjustments, muscular relaxation, and posture correction, it assists in treating the pain at its cause. Prior to beginning treatment, your chiropractor must thoroughly examine your spine, which may involve an X-ray or MRI, and confirm the presence of a herniated disk.
Book a ConsultationSurgical herniated disk treatments cost roughly between $20,000 and $50,000 without insurance in Oklahoma. This cost includes the fees for surgeons, anesthesiologists, and the facility. Besides this, you may incur additional charges for back brace ($200 per brace), physical therapy ($50 to $100 per session), and pain medications ($50 to $100 per medication). On the other hand, a non-surgical herniated disk treatment like an epidural injection costs between $597 and $1484 (per injection), depending on the location and the type of care facility.
Book a ConsultationHere are some effective treatment options for a herniated lumbar disk:
- Taking adequate rest
- Avoiding strenuous activities like lifting
- Taking over-the-counter or prescription pain medications
- Engaging in physical therapy
- Reducing inflammation with epidural steroid injections
- If nothing else works, surgery is the last option
The following are the most common treatment options for a herniated disk in the lower back:
- Allowing the body to rest and recover
- Reducing pain and inflammation with pain relievers
- Physical therapy exercises
- Epidural steroid injections
- Healthy weight maintenance
- Surgery (when conservative treatments fail)
For herniated disks, most people try conservative treatment for about 8 to 12 weeks before considering surgery. However, this duration is different for everyone as everyone has unique situations and physiology. As long as you’re making progress and experiencing pain relief, it is a good idea to keep following conservative treatment options like pain medications, physical therapy, and more. However, if you do not see a significant improvement in your symptoms, you must talk to your doctor about other treatment options like surgery.
Book a ConsultationA herniated disk usually requires 4 to 6 weeks or possibly longer to recover with treatment. The particular nature of your injuries and symptoms, as well as your general health and how well you adhere to treatment recommendations, all affect how long it takes for you to heal. Although treatment might greatly lessen symptoms, it is important to keep in mind that the disk itself may take considerably longer to heal completely.
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