2. The concept of slipped disc surgery is somewhat
misunderstood. For starters, a “slipped disc” isn’t actually
a medical condition but rather a colloquial term that is
used to describe a herniated disc in the spinal column.
The reason that this differentiation is important is
because the intervertebral disc does not “slip” out of
position but can rupture (herniated disc) or bulge (bulging
disc), which can be extremely painful and require medical
treatment. That said, slipped disc surgery is almost always
considered the treatment of last resort when all other
options, including a variety of nonsurgical methods, have
been exhausted.
3. The Spinal Anatomy
We rely on our spinal column for an awful lot. Our back and neck has to be
extremely flexible to allow for the subtlety of motion that we require on a
constant basis and also must be exceptionally strong to support the weight of
the body. In order to serve these dual functions, a number of anatomical
elements in the spinal column must work in concert. Among these
components are the intervertebral discs that are situated in between
adjacent vertebrae. These discs act like shock absorbers for the spine and
allow the vertebrae to articulate comfortably without rubbing against one
another.
The problem with these discs, however, is that they – like most everything
else in the body – are susceptible to wear and tear. Over the years, these
discs gradually deteriorate, which accounts, in part, for the diminished
flexibility and minor aches and pains that most people associate with growing
older. However, in some cases, disc degeneration can occasionally lead to
chronic, severe pain, which is when an individual is likely to consider slipped
disc surgery.
4. Pain
One interesting thing to note about a herniated disc is that this condition is
exceedingly common and not always symptomatic. Instead, pain usually develops
when extruded disc material or the disc wall itself comes in contact with the spinal
cord or any of the nerve roots in the spinal column. The specific symptoms that the
patient experiences depends entirely on the location, severity, and cause of the his or
her disc problem. This can be inherently difficult to diagnose, however, because
sometimes symptoms travel down the affected nerve root, causing symptoms to be
experienced in a different, seemingly unrelated part of the body. For instance, a
herniated disc in the neck (cervical spine) can cause numbness or tingling in the
fingertips. Other common symptoms of this condition include:
• Localized back or neck pain
• A sensation of pins and needles
• Radiating pain
• Diminished reflexes
• And more
5. Treatment Options
In most cases, effectively treating the symptoms
of a slipped disc can be done without surgery.
Once the condition is accurately diagnosed and
the source of the pain is pinpointed, a doctor will
usually work with the patient to develop a
carefully tailored treatment regimen for the
specific condition. This can entail any number of
techniques, including low-impact
exercise, stretching, hot/cold therapy, over-the-
counter or prescription anti-inflammatories, and
more.
However, while there are a tremendous variety of
potential treatments available, it is exceedingly
important that you follow your doctor’s
recommendation and only utilize the techniques
that are recommended for your condition. The
wrong approach can exacerbate symptoms or
prove to be a waste of time.
6. When Surgery is Considered
While slipped disc surgery is usually considered the last resort, for a
select segment of the population, this course of treatment can be a
godsend. The trick, however, is finding the right kind of procedure for
your condition because there are several options out there. For some
individuals, spine fusion is required to maintain spinal stability and
physically remove the source of the patient’s pain. This
treatment, however, is highly invasive and will require extensive
recovery and rehabilitation. Other patients may turn to an endoscopic
procedure as an alternative. These minimally invasive spine
procedures are designed to alleviate symptoms without the recovery
and rehabilitation of an open spine operation. To learn more about
your options, do your homework and schedule consultations with a
variety of specialists in your area.
