Herniated Disc Treatment OKC
You may need to realize just how important your spinal column is. It provides support for the rest of your body, and there are discs in between your vertebrae that cushion your spinal column. There are some situations where you may suffer a herniated disc, and we can help you treat this condition. We are Oklahoma Pain Doc, and we have already helped countless people suffering or diagnosed with herniated discs. 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 Disc?
A herniated disc is a condition that takes place when the cushion between your vertebrae ruptures. It is the job of your spinal discs to prevent your spinal column from absorbing shocks. Without these discs, you would feel shooting pains traveling down your spinal column.
Over time, your discs might start to weaken. You may have degenerative disc disease, or your discs are simply getting weaker because you get older. Eventually, one of your discs 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 Disc
In general, disc herniation is an acute condition. If you flex your back to an extreme extent, you may put too much stress on the discs 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 disc is in a motor vehicle accident. If your chest flies forward over your knees, it could place too much stress on the discs in your back. You may suffer a disc herniation.
You may also suffer a herniated disc 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 discs in your spinal column might herniate.
In most cases, herniated discs 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 disc, 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 disc 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 disc can impact the nerves in your spine, where numbness and tingling can come from.
- You may also sense muscle weakness. If a herniated disc 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 disc, we can figure out where it is located. We will generally reinforce this diagnosis with imaging scans to ensure we understand exactly where the disc herniation occurs.
How Is a Herniated Disc Diagnosed?
Typically, a herniated disc 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 disc, 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 disc may have taken place. On an MRI, the doctor may be able to visualize the disc, 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 disc, but that is not universal. At Oklahoma Pain Doc, we have plenty of treatment options available for a herniated disc, and we may be able to save you a trip to the operating room.
In general, we will start with high-dose anti-inflammatory medications. The goal is to tamp down the inflammation in your back that develops after a herniated disc. Then, we may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the muscles on the sides of your spinal column. That way, we can provide your spinal column with additional support, alleviating the stress placed on your vertebrae.
Finally, we may also use joint injections to increase the cushioning between your vertebrae and to decrease the inflammation. We can also use different joint injections, which we will review with you during your appointment.
Contact Oklahoma Pain Doc To Make an Appointment for Herniated Disc Treatment in OKC
In most cases, herniated discs 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 disc. At Oklahoma Pain Doc, 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.
