Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for bulging disc with extrucian

by Isaac Jerde Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Nonsurgical disc extrusion treatment can involve a combination of traditional and holistic methods, including:

  • Hot and cold compresses
  • Therapeutic massage
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Restorative yoga or other exercises
  • Prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
  • Epidural steroid injections

Treatment of disc extrusion
Disc extrusions have been safely treated with surgery for years. The most common surgery used is spinal fusion. With spinal fusion, the goal is to remove the herniated part of the disc.

Full Answer

How long does a bulging disc take to heal?

In short, the answer is absolutely YES. We think that the actual statistic for how many disc bulges recovery naturally, if the body is optimised for a short bulging disc recovery time, is 90% of people recovering within 12 weeks. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and some people remain in pain past the 12 week mark.

Can a bulging disc heal on its own?

Can a bulging disc heal on its own? In brief: Yes! Most lumbar disc herniations tend to heal on their own. Anti-inflammatory medication and traction type of therapy often helps to relieve the pain. The herniated disc often takes up to 3 months to heal.

How do you treat a bulging disc?

Herniated Discs refer to issues with the rubbery disc between the ... However, it is important to consult with the doctor to determine the actual condition and best treatment options.

Can a bulging disc go back to normal?

Can a bulging disc go back to normal? While professional spinal care may fast-track your recovery, most instances of mild bulging discs will heal naturally and may not require treatment. However, we understand that quicker pain relief is often desired by patients suffering from a bulging disc .

image

What is a disc bulge with extrusion?

What is an extruded disc herniation? An extruded disc is commonly referred to as a ruptured or herniated disc. Extruded disc herniation is the condition in which an intervertebral disc has become weak and, because of constant pressure, bulges (or herniates) out of the disc space and into the spinal canal.

Does an extruded disc need 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.

What happens after disc extrusion?

Disc degeneration, including extrusion cause pain, inflammation and symptoms if the inner core material or outer disc compresses spinal nerves, the spinal cord or other structures in the spine. Symptoms may develop or worsen if disc damage progresses and herniation becomes more severe.

Can a disc extrusion get worse?

Unfortunately if disc bulges are left untreated, and if the abnormal spinal stresses that caused them continue, they will often worsen over time.

How painful is a disc extrusion?

Symptoms. In some cases, disc extrusion doesn't cause any symptoms or pain. Symptoms appear if the jelly-like disc nucleus that leaks from the disc compresses nearby spinal nerves or spinal cord.

How long does it take for a disc extrusion to heal?

The average amount of time it takes for a herniated disk to heal is four to six weeks, but it can get better within a few days depending on how severe the herniation was and where it occurred. The biggest factor in healing a herniated disk is time, because most often it will resolve on its own.

What is the difference between a herniated disc and a disc extrusion?

A disc extrusion is a type of severe disc herniation. It happens when the center - or nucleus - of an intervertebral disc escapes from the center of the disc. A disc that is extruded can occur in the neck, mid, or lower back, and can cause severe spinal related pain.

How do you sleep with a disc extrusion?

The optimal sleeping position for a herniated disc is on your back. Lying on your back keeps your spine in a neutral position so you have less chance of pinching the nerve. For added comfort, nestle a small pillow or rolled-up towel under your knees and lower back.

What is the difference between disc protrusion and disc extrusion?

A protrusion exists when only a few cartilage rings are torn and there is no actual leakage of the center material; the disc protrusion looks like a "bump". With an extrusion, all the cartilage rings have torn in a small area, allowing the jelly-like material to flow out of the disc.

What causes an extruded disc?

Commonly known as herniated discs, disc extrusions are caused by a weakened disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, rupturing due to age or injury. This outer wall is what keeps the soft, jelly-like center of the disc contained, creating a type of cushion for the vertebrae to bend and move freely.

What do neurosurgeons do for bulging discs?

An incision is placed in the lower back over the area where the disc is herniated. Some bone from the back of the spine may be removed to gain access to the area where the disc is located. Typically, the herniated part of the disc and any extra loose pieces of disc are removed from the disc space.

How do doctors fix a bulging disc?

Discectomy is the most common surgery used for herniated disc in the lumbar region. In this procedure, the portion of the disc that is causing the pressure on your nerve root is removed. In some cases, the entire disc is removed. The surgeon will access the disc through an incision in your back (or neck).

What is the goal of disc extrusion surgery?

The goal of initial treatment is typically to help manage symptoms while the progress of the condition is monitored by a doctor. Surgery to treat disc extrusion is usually reserved for severe debilitating cases that have affected quality of life for an extended period of time and are not responding to conservative treatments.

Can you get a herniated disc extrusion on its own?

The good news is that disc extrusion, also called a herniated disc, can often improve on its own. The goal of initial treatment is typically ...

Is there a non surgical treatment for a bulging disc?

Non-Surgical Treatment Options. Alternative Treatments for a Bulging Disc. Although no single treatment plan is right for every patient, there are some bulging disc treatment guidelines that are often effective in relieving symptoms. While a bulging disc is not necessarily painful, nerve compression can result if displaced disc material causes ...

Can a bulging disc cause neck pain?

Upon diagnosing a bulging disc as the source of neck pain, back pain or radiating pain in the extremities, doctors will usually begin with a course of conservative treatments. Since a bulging disc can improve with time, initial treatment is generally aimed at pain management while the progress of the condition is monitored.

Can a bulging disc be treated?

For many patients, these options are enough to help control bulging disc symptoms. Most doctors view surgery to treat a bulging disc as a last resort because it is such an invasive process, requiring a large muscle-tearing incision, overnight hospitalization and a long recovery period.

What is disc extrusion?

Disc extrusion is a specific type of spinal disc herniation. Although the term “herniated disc” is typically used to describe all herniation injuries, there are 3 types of disc herniation: protrusion, extrusion and sequestration. Let’s back up a little: what is disc herniation?

How long does it take for a herniated disc to heal?

Many extruded discs heal by themselves over the course of several weeks or months. Your doctor will probably recommend conservative treatments to aid the healing process.

What is Integrity Spine and Orthopedics?

Integrity Spine and Orthopedics specializes in performing minimally invasive spinal procedures for a range of spine conditions, including herniated discs. We also offer pain management and general orthopedic services to help you manage acute or chronic back and joint pain.

What are the different types of herniated discs?

3 Types of Herniated Discs. There are 3 primary types of disc herniation, classified by the condition of the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus: Disc protrusion. The jelly-like inner core bulges from the disc, but the fibrous outer layer of the disc remains intact. Disc extrusion.

What causes disc herniation?

Disc herniation occurs when the inner core material begins to bulge or leak out from the fibrous outer layer. Age, natural wear and tear, traumatic incidents like a fall or car accident, overuse injuries, obesity and genetics can all cause disc herniation.

What are the components of a spinal disc?

Discs are made up of 2 components: a tough, fibrous outer layer (the annulus fibrosus) and a soft, jelly-like inner core (the nucleus pulposus). When we’re young, our spinal discs are strong and flexible. But with age, they begin to dehydrate, stiffen and become more vulnerable to injury and damage.

Can a herniated disc cause pain?

This type of herniation may start as a disc extrusion and progress to a disc sequestration. All of the disc herniations listed above can cause pain, inflammation and symptoms if the inner core material or outer disc compresses spinal nerves, the spinal cord or other structures in the spine. And, as stated above, symptoms may develop ...

How to reduce disc extrusion?

While some of these are required by a job, or a particular lifestyle, it is important to be mindful of your body while performing them. By performing lower impact exercises, stretching, or working on improving your posture, you can reduce the chances of a disc extrusion ever occurring.

What is the procedure to remove a herniated disc?

If you are a good candidate for surgery, they will likely recommend a discectomy — a procedure that is used to help hundreds of thousands of patients every year. A discectomy is performed by trimming away tissue and any other herniated disc material that has caused nerve compression.

What is the most common area of the spine to deal with an extruded disc?

The most common area of the spine to deal with an extruded disc is the lumbar spine, or lower back, which makes sense when you consider the fact that roughly 80 percent of adults experience lower back pain during their lifetime.

What is disc extrusion?

A disc extrusion, more commonly known as a herniated or ruptured disc, is a degenerative spine condition which may lead to compression of the nerves, significant neck and back pain, ...

How to tell if disc is extruded?

Some symptoms of disc extrusion include: Tingling or numbness in the limbs. A burning or “pins-and-needles” feeling. Pain in the back, buttocks, groin, or thighs. Weakness in the lower extremities. Stiffness or soreness. Pain in the area of nerve compression. Pain in the neck or back. Muscle weakness.

Can disc extrusions be caused by obesity?

In some cases, it can also be caused by diseases like osteoarthritis or obesity. Whatever the cause, disc extrusions are not to be taken lightly. In fact, of all patients suffering from chronic back pain, it is estimated that two percent of them will suffer from a herniated disc, too.

Can you have a discectomy if you have a disc extrusion?

Although surgery isn’t required for all patients who suffer from disc extrusion, it is one of the most effective treatment options for those seeking long-term relief for their symptoms. When conservative treatments have failed you, consider speaking to your medical provider about spinal surgery. If you are a good candidate for surgery, they will likely recommend a discectomy — a procedure that is used to help hundreds of thousands of patients every year.

How long does an extruded disc herniation last?

Some patients suffering from an extruded disc herniation do well with rest and conservative treatment options. When symptoms are severe and last more than 3 months with no relief from conservative treatment, patients may benefit from further diagnostic injections, and least invasive or surgical procedures. If you are suffering from an extruded disc ...

What is the best way to diagnose a herniated disc?

CT scans and MRIs are often used to give them a three-dimensional view of the lumbar spine and can help detect herniated discs. Pain Mapping Injections – These injections can be used for therapeutic relief, but more importantly, can pinpoint the pain generator – i.e. extruded disc herniation and bone spurs tethering a spinal nerve of spinal cord.

What is an epidural steroid injection?

Epidural Steroid Injections: are used two-fold, first, to relieve inflammation of the affected spinal nerve and secondly, diagnostically to confirm the correct affected spinal level at which the pain originates from.

How long does it take to recover from a herniated disc?

Dr. Rodriguez usually has patients wear a supportive brace when out of bed for 6 weeks. This should diminish the pain and decrease the risk of re-herniating the disc. Physical therapy is typically suggested and may be required after 6 weeks. Most patients return to work 6 weeks after the procedure.

Is spine surgery less invasive?

At the International Spine Institute, we practice a LEAST INVASIVE PHILOSOPHY, an evolving philosophy of treating painful spine patients with less invasive procedures before ever considering traditional and minimally invasive spine surgery. Our spine procedures are less invasive than minimally invasive surgery. Improved technologies and techniques are tailored for pinpointing pain generators in the spine and then approaching the spine with either regenerative medicine (Stem Cell Therapy) or endoscopic procedures that relieve the pain and reduce the collateral damage and tissue disruption that MIS and traditional spine surgery can cause.

Can you go home with anesthesia for a minimally invasive spine?

However, one could go home the same day if there are recovered from anesthesia and their pain is well controlled with oral medications. Dr.

Can extruded disc herniation be treated?

In some cases and extruded disc herniation may not be able to be treated with our least invasive techniques, and therefore we use one the minimally invasive techniques widely used by spine surgeons across the world.

Controlling bulging disc-related muscle spasms

Although muscle spasms are painful and inconvenient, they don’t have to be a disruptive part of your life. There are many conservative treatment options available to help control these symptoms. Bulging disc symptoms, such as muscle spasms and pain, can be relieved by a series of conservative treatments.

When to consider spine surgery for persistent muscle spasms

For patients who do not respond to conservative treatments, it may be helpful to surgically remove part of the bulging disc if it does not heal on its own over time.

What is the procedure to remove a herniated disk?

Surgery. Diskectomy is the surgical removal of the damaged portion of a herniated disk in your spine. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the tougher exterior. This can irritate or compress nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness or weakness.

What tests are needed for a herniated disk?

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.

What test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected

This test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected. Myelogram . A dye is injected into the spinal fluid before X-rays are taken. This test can show pressure on your spinal cord or nerves due to multiple herniated disks or other conditions.

How to treat low back pain?

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. Acupuncture. Although results are usually modest, acupuncture appears to ease chronic back and neck pain. Massage.

Can a surgeon remove a disk?

Loss of bladder or bowel control. In nearly all cases, surgeons can remove just the protruding portion of the disk. Rarely, the entire disk must be removed. In these cases, the vertebrae may need to be fused with a bone graft.

Can you take codeine for disk herniation?

Because of the side effects of opioids and the potential for addiction, many doctors hesitate to prescribe them for disk herniation. If other medication doesn't relieve your pain, your doctor might consider short-term use of opioids, such as codeine or an oxycodone-acetaminophen combination (Percocet, Roxicet).

Similarities between a bulging disc and a disc extrusion

A bulging disc and disc extrusion often share the same symptoms, although the condition may not always be symptomatic. These symptoms include local or radiating pain, loss of flexibility, sciatica, numbness, weakness, stiffness and tingling.

Bulging disc vs. disc extrusion

The following are differences between a bulging disc and a disc extrusion:

Treating a bulging disc and a disc extrusion

In order to treat these conditions, conservative treatments such as physical therapy, pain medication and chiropractic care may be effective in providing you with relief. However, if several weeks or months of these treatments have not provided you with the relief that you have been searching for, then surgical intervention may become necessary.

image

3 Types of Herniated Discs

Image
There are 3 primary types of disc herniation, classified by the condition of the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus: 1. Disc protrusion.The jelly-like inner core bulges from the disc, but the fibrous outer layer of the disc remains intact. 1. Disc extrusion.The jelly-like inner core breaks through the fibrous outer layer and l…
See more on integrityspineortho.com

Symptoms

  • In some cases, disc extrusion doesn’t cause any symptoms or pain. Symptoms appear if the jelly-like disc nucleus that leaks from the disc compresses nearby spinal nerves or spinal cord. If you have a symptomatic case, you may experience the following: 1. Cervical spine 1. 1.1. 1.1.1. Neck pain 1.1.2. Pain that extends down the shoulder and arm 1.1.3. Weakness, numbness or tingling …
See more on integrityspineortho.com

Treatment Options

  • Your doctor will use an imaging scan like an MRI to visualize a herniated disc and determine the severity and type of herniation. Many extruded discs heal by themselves over the course of several weeks or months. Your doctor will probably recommend conservative treatments to aid the healing process. Treatment options may include: 1.) Medications.Ov...
See more on integrityspineortho.com

Integrity Spine and Orthopedics Treats Spine and Joint Conditions

  • Integrity Spine and Orthopedics specializes in performing minimally invasive spinal procedures for a range of spine conditions, including herniated discs. We also offer pain management and general orthopedic services to help you manage acute or chronic back and joint pain. Please call us at 904-456-0017 to request an appointmentto see one of our board-certified orthopedic docto…
See more on integrityspineortho.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9