Spine Conditions
Herniated Disc Injury
The most frequently seen injury in the spine is a herniated or slipped disc. A herniated disc is one that bulges beyond its natural location. The damaged disc can press on nerves and consequently cause pain. A herniated disc is the most common cause of lower back pain. This discomfort usually resolves in 80% of patients in the first four to six weeks. If the pain persists and is accompanied by leg discomfort, then the patient should seek medical attention.
Cause
Factors that cause disc herniation include lifting, traumas (motor vehicle accident or fall), disc degeneration (the breaking down of the disc material); repetitive flexing/twisting maneuvers while lifting heavy objects. Excessive body weight can increase the discomfort of a herniated disc.
Symptoms
With a herniated disc in the neck region (cervical spine) pain typically extends through the lower cervical region into the arm and usually the fingers. In addition to tingling fingers, you may experience weakness in one arm, a burning pain in the neck. In the lower back region (lumbar spine) weakness, pain and/or tingling may be felt in the legs.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will perform a physical examination and review images taken of your spine which may reveal the herniated disc and the nerve it is pushing against.
Treatment
Back pain may first be treated conservatively with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, modification of activity, and physical therapy. If conservative therapy fails, your doctor can consider an epidural injection ("epidural" means in the space that protects the spinal cord) if you are experiencing pain into the legs. Pain in the lower back region that does not extend into the legs frequently does not improve significantly with epidural injections. If these injections do not resolve the pain and it continues to be severe, then magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical or lumbar spine should be considered. Following a review of the MRI, your doctor will speak with you regarding treatment options. Talk with your doctor to learn more about specific treatment options most suitable for you.
