Medication
If symptoms associated with the herniated cervical disc such as neck pain with arm pain, numbness, tingling and weakness develop then an MRI may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis of slipped disk. At that time you elect to see a spinal surgery specialist who will be either a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.
Procedures
Treatment 1 Medications. Over-the-counter pain medications. ... 2 Therapy. Your doctor might suggest physical therapy to help with your pain. ... 3 Surgery. Diskectomy is the surgical removal of the damaged portion of a herniated disk in your spine. ...
Therapy
If surgery is necessary, there are many minimally invasive treatment options for a bulging or herniated disc. We’ve compiled 11 different treatment options for herniated discs to show how doctors treat this condition. Approximately 70% to 80% of individuals will experience lower back pain at some point, but most do not need surgery.
Self-care
Your doctor may also perform a neurological exam to check your: In most cases of herniated disk, a physical exam and a medical history are all that's needed for a diagnosis. If your doctor suspects another condition or needs to see which nerves are affected, he or she may order one or more of the following tests. X-rays.
Nutrition
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What kind of doctor should I See for herniated disc?
What is the best treatment for herniated disc?
Do you need surgery for a bulging or herniated disc?
How is a herniated disk diagnosed?
What kind of doctor fixes herniated disc?
Herniated discs are quite common and do not always need treatment. Most of the time they can be healed by rest; however, if symptoms persist, you may need to see an orthopedic surgeon near you specializing in spine surgery.
Can a neurosurgeon fix a herniated disc?
Neurosurgeons also treat spinal problems such as neck pain, back pain, leg pain (including sciatica), or shoulder pain caused by disc problems (such as degenerative disc disease or herniated disc), trauma or spinal/neck arthritis.
Who is the best doctor of disc problem?
Who are the best Spinal Disc Herniation doctors in india?S.NONAMEHOSPITAL1Dr. Ashish SabharwalIndraprastha Apollo Hospitals2Dr. Surbhi AnandDental Bliss3Dr. Sanjay SachdevaMax Super Specialty Hospital Saket4Dr. Gagan GautamMax Super Specialty Hospital Saket6 more rows
Can a neurologist help with a herniated disc?
If you suffer from a spinal condition such as disc herniation or degeneration, spinal fractures, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or other types of spinal injuries or pain, both a neurologist and an orthopedic doctor are equipped to treat these spinal conditions.
Which is better neurologist or neurosurgeon?
A neurosurgeon is able to perform surgery on the brain and spinal cord, whereas a neurologist is typically not able to do so. In addition to performing surgical procedures, neurosurgeons are also able to help you navigate through your diagnosis, your treatment plan, the actual surgery, and post-recovery options.
Does a neurologist do surgery?
A neurologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses, treats and manages conditions that affect your nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves). A neurologist doesn't perform surgery. A neurosurgeon diagnoses and treats nervous system conditions through both surgical and nonsurgical therapies.
What is the treatment for L4 L5 disc bulge?
Typically, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually tried first. For more severe pain, opioids, tramadol, and/or corticosteroids may be used. Physical therapy. Exercise and physical therapy can be modified to specifically target pain stemming from L4-L5 and the lower back.
When should I see a doctor for a bulging disc?
If you experience any of the severe herniated disc symptoms below, contact your doctor immediately: Loss of bowel and/or bladder control, loss of feeling in your lower extremities (legs and feet)**:** These symptoms, which may be caused by a lumbar (low back) herniated disc, may be related to cauda equina syndrome.
Can a herniated disc cause neck and shoulder pain?
If you have a herniated cervical disc, you may feel pain that radiates down your arm and possibly into your hand. You may also feel pain on or near your shoulder blade, and neck pain when turning your head or bending your neck. Sometimes you may have muscle spasms (meaning the muscles tighten uncontrollably).
What is the difference between a neurologist and an orthopedist?
The main difference between fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons is in training. A neurosurgeon is trained to treat conditions of the brain and spine, while an orthopaedic spine surgeon specializes in treating the spine.
What doctor deals with nerve damage?
Neurologists are specialists who treat diseases of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. Neurological conditions include epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease. Dr.
When should I see a neurosurgeon?
When to See a NeurosurgeonCarotid artery disease. Carotid artery disease is a condition that affects the major blood vessels that supply blood to the head and neck. ... Cervical spine disorders. ... Chronic pain. ... Head injury. ... Hydrocephalus. ... Herniated disc. ... Lumbar spinal stenosis. ... Pituitary tumors.More items...
What is the best doctor for herniated disc?
Rheumatologists. A good place to start is your primary care doctor. You can find some talking points in Talking With Your Doctor About Herniated Disc. If your own doctor does not have much experience with herniated disc treatment, ask for a referral to another doctor.
What are the best nonsurgical treatments for herniated discs?
The top nonsurgical treatments include rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and epidural steroid injections. Providers who offer nonsurgical treatments for a herniated disc include: A good place to start is your primary care doctor.
What is the name of the surgeon who performs discectomy?
This is called discectomy. Doctors who perform discectomy include orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons: Orthopedic surgeons specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of diseases and conditions of the muscles and bones including the spine. Neurosurgeons specialize in the surgical treatment of diseases and conditions ...
How long does it take to get a herniated disc removed?
Providers for Surgical Treatment. If your symptoms are severe, and not relieved by nonsurgical treatments within six weeks, you may be a candidate for surgery. The most common type of surgery for herniated discs is to remove the damaged disc. This is called discectomy.
What is the goal of a herniated disc?
Providers for Nonsurgical Treatment. The goal of herniated disc treatment is to relieve your pain and discomfort and increase your mobility. In most cases, doctors recommend nonsurgical treatments to reduce pain and discomfort.
What is the specialty of a neurosurgeon?
Neurosurgeons specialize in the surgical treatment of diseases and conditions of the nervous system including the spine.
Who treats herniated discs?
Doctors Who Treat Herniated Discs. Primary care physicians are often the first to treat slipped discs; however, it is important to be evaluated at an advanced spine center as soon as possible, since early and expert intervention can keep the condition from getting worse.
What kind of doctor can help with back pain after a herniated disc?
Pain management specialists can also help patients recover more quickly, or with less pain, after surgery. Physiatrists: These rehabilitation physicians specialize in treating injuries or illnesses that affect movement, and manage non-surgical approaches to back pain, including the pain of a herniated disc.
What is a physical therapist?
Physical Therapists: These specialists have expertise in a wide range of non-surgical techniques to help prevent or overcome pain and build strength to help prevent future injuries. A physical therapist may work with a patient as an alternative to surgery, or after surgery to help rebuild strength.
What is pain management specialist?
Pain Management Specialists: Advanced pain management techniques allow many patients to avoid surgery altogether. Our specialists work with patients to develop an individual treatment plan that can get them back to their daily lives, without pain and without surgery. Pain management specialists can also help patients recover more quickly, or with less pain, after surgery.
Can a herniated disc be treated?
We generally begin with nonsurgical, non-invasive options to treat herniated discs (see Diagnosing and Treating a Herniated Disc ). For patients who do need surgery, we offer the latest in minimally invasive surgical techniques using state-of-the-art equipment. Patients recover faster, have less pain, and get back to their normal daily activities sooner than they could with older surgical methods.
Why is it important to see a doctor for a herniated disc?
Why It’s Important to See Your Doctor if You Experience Herniated Disc Symptoms. A disc that herniates can compress or pinch a nerve in your spine. When a herniated disc presses on your spinal nerves or spinal cord, it can cause numbness, weakness, tingling, shooting pain, bowel and/or bladder problems—symptoms that can take a huge toll on your ...
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
If you experience any of the severe herniated disc symptoms below, contact your doctor immediately: Loss of bowel and/or bladder control, loss of feeling in your lower extremities (legs and feet): These symptoms, ...
What is the cause of a herniated disc in the lower back?
Loss of bowel and/or bladder control, loss of feeling in your lower extremities (legs and feet): These symptoms, which may be caused by a lumbar (low back) herniated disc, may be related to cauda equina syndrome. Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious spinal disorder requiring immediate medical attention.
Can a herniated disc be ignored?
Herniated disc symptoms you shouldn't ignore. A herniated disc is a common spinal disorder, and it typically responds well to conservative treatment like gentle exercise or over-the-counter pain medication. But some ruptured disc symptoms warrant a trip to your doctor to prevent serious—and potentially permanent—nerve complications.
Can you recover from nerve compression?
The sooner nerve compression is treated, the more likely you’ll enjoy a complete recovery. But if you wait too long to address your nerve-related pain, you risk having long-term or permanent nerve damage.
Can a herniated disc cause spinal nerve compression?
Loss of balance and fine motor skills, and muscle weakness: These symptoms signal spinal nerve compression. In the most severe cases, the herniated disc can compress the spinal cord itself—this is known as myelopathy. This is most often caused by herni ated discs in your cervical spine (neck), but thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar herniated discs may lead to myelopathy as well.
What to do if you have a herniated cervical disc?
If symptoms associated with the herniated cervical disc such as neck pain with arm pain, numbness, tingling and weakness develop then an MRI may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis of slipped disk.
What doctor can diagnose a slipped disc?
We suggest that you start the evaluation with your primary care physician. Many people also start with a chiropractor. If symptoms associated with the herniated cervical disc such as neck pain with arm pain, numbness, tingling and weakness develop then an MRI may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis of slipped disk. At that time you elect to see a spinal surgery specialist who will be either a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Preparing For Your Appointment
