Is it time to consider surgery for a herniated disc?
Find out how long you should give conservative treatment a try before having surgery for your bulging (herniated) disc. If you’ve been diagnosed with a herniated (bulging) disc, you should not rush into the decision to have surgery. The overwhelming treatment of choice for a herniated disc is conservative — even if the pain is pretty bad.
What is the best treatment for lumbar disc herniation?
There are many treatments for this condition, and experts generally recommend trying conservative therapies before opting for surgical intervention. The length of time it takes for a herniated disc to heal without surgery varies depending on the severity and type of symptoms but usually ranges from three months up to two years.
Should I get a second opinion for a herniated disc?
Additionally, a physician might recommend epidural steroid injections or selective nerve root blocks to reduce inflammation caused by a herniated disc. If conservative care goes on for months with no improvement, or if a patient has serious symptoms such as lack of bladder or bowel control, the last resort for dealing with a herniated disc is surgical intervention.
When does my doctor recommend surgery for a perforated disc?
While conservative treatments do not typically have a recovery time, physicians generally recommend that you try conservative therapy for six to eight weeks for an accurate measure of how effective this treatment is at reducing your pain.
How long does it take for a herniated disc to reabsorb?
The good news is that in most cases — 90% of the time — pain caused by a herniated disc will go away on its own within six months.Sep 1, 2020
When Should conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation be ceased and surgery considered?
The overall outcome seems to be better when patients are operated on for lumbar disc herniations within 2 months after onset of symptoms and sensory deficits. Due to these findings, we recommend conservative treatment up to 2 months and, if conservative management does not succeed, consideration of surgery.
Can a herniated disc take 3 months to heal?
Healing time estimates for herniated discs range from 6 months to 2 years. Therefore you'll probably develop some sort of depression from your limited subset of activities. My typical way to combat depression, you would imagine, is being with your friends.Nov 10, 2017
How do I know if my herniated disc is getting better?
Your chances are good. Most people with a herniated disc are better in about four weeks. Sometimes it takes longer. If you still have pain or numbness after four to six weeks, or if your problem gets worse, talk with your doctor.May 15, 2003
What percentage of herniated discs require surgery?
When & How to Seek Medical Care Fortunately, the majority of herniated discs do not require surgery. With time, the symptoms of sciatica/radiculopathy improve in approximately 9 out of 10 people. The time to improve varies, ranging from a few days to a few weeks.
When should a herniated disc be operated on?
Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven't helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible.
Do you ever fully recover from a herniated disc?
Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer as to whether your disc herniation will fully heal. With treatment, a disc herniation can dry up, shrink or go away. Your body may have an autoimmune response and aid in healing the herniation.Jul 16, 2020
Can a herniated disc heal after 6 months?
Long-standing evidence suggests that pain associated with a herniated disc often diminishes without surgery within 4-6 months. In fact, 80% of herniated discs get better on their own, without the need for surgery - and improve about 3 months after the onset of leg pain.Dec 20, 2016
Why is my herniated disc not healing?
Sometimes, the nerves are actually damaged by the pressure from the disc herniation and may not recover completely. You may also develop scar tissue around the nerves weeks after the operation that causes pain similar to what you had before the operation.
Is walking good for herniated disc?
Absolutely. Walking is an excellent choice for patients with herniated discs, as it stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the cells. It also helps keep your discs hydrated, which is important for healing. Other low-impact aerobic activities to try are swimming and cycling.Jan 14, 2019
How long is bed rest for herniated disc?
Most often 1-2 days of strict bed rest will calm severe back pain. Bed rest should not exceed 48 hours. Once you are back into your daily routine, you should take frequent rest breaks throughout the day- but avoid sitting for long periods of time.
Are herniated discs permanent?
Most of the time, pain associated with a herniated disc goes away on its own over a period of weeks or months and does not cause permanent damage to the spine or nerves. A herniated disc can occur in any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back (the lumbar spine) and the neck (the cervical spine).
What to do if you have a herniated disc?
If it is a herniated disc, a number of initial conservative treatments are typically laid out.
What is the best treatment for a herniated disc?
Anti-inflammatory medication is also usually prescribed to help reduce the irritation of the nerves surrounding the herniated disc. Depending on your precise diagnosis and health history, the medication prescribed can range from over-the-counter options if the pain is mild-moderate to cortisone injections if the pain is more severe.
Can a herniated disc go away?
Pain from a herniated disc can come on quickly like this, and proper treatment can also help it go away in short order. But not everyone gets relief—immediate or otherwise. If that sounds like you, it may be time to think about surgery for a herniated disc.
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Conservative treatment — mainly modifying activities to avoid movement that causes pain and taking pain medication — relieves symptoms in most people within a few days or weeks.
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Besides taking the pain medications your doctor recommends, try: 1. Applying heat or cold.Initially, cold packs can be used to relieve pain and inflammation. After a few days, you might switch to gentle heat to give relief and comfort. 2. Avoiding too much bed rest.Staying in bed can lead to stiff joints and weak muscles — which can complicate your recovery. Instead, rest in a po…
Alternative Medicine
- Some alternative and complementary medicine treatments might help ease chronic back pain. Examples include: 1. Chiropractic.Spinal manipulation has been found to be moderately effective for low back pain that has lasted for at least a month. Rarely, chiropractic treatment of the neck can cause certain types of strokes. 2. Acupuncture.Although results are usually modest, acupun…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor. You might be referred to a doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery, neurology, or neurosurgery.