Monday 2 April 2018

Don’t Stay With Herniated Disc Pain

A ruptured (or) herniated disc is caused when any one of the spinal discs develops a crack within its tough outer wall and the material present in the inner disc is pushed out into the spinal canal. If any displaced disc material put pressure on the spinal the pain will result in other associated symptoms.

Causes of herniated disc

  • Regular lifting of heavy items
  • Prolonged exposure to vibration
  • Malnutrition
  • Excess weight
  • Sudden trauma, injury or accidents such as hard fall, blow at the back
  • Congenital abnormalities in the spine
  • Lack of physical activity and exercise

Common symptoms of Ruptured disc


Some people may experience a few or no symptoms. However, if the person has any nerve compression/irritation, the following symptoms would occur:
  • Numbness/Tingling
  • Loss of movement
  • Calf muscle pain
  • Neck/Back pain
  • Burning/shooting pain in the injured area
  • Pain radiates to the legs
  • Pain worsens at the night time/while standing/sitting/walking for prolonged hours

Diagnosis of Ruptured disc


Besides, regular clinical and physical examination, the patient is advised to undergo X-Ray, CT and MRI scan to confirm the presence of the ruptured disc, and its present condition etc. After ascertaining the severity and location of the ruptured disc, an accurate treatment is planned to save the patient from the deteriorating condition and excruciating pain.

Treatment for ruptured disc

Generally, herniated disc patients are treated based on their pain condition. Conservative treatments like medicines, physiotherapy, exercises, muscle-relaxants, NSAIDs, hot and cold fomentation are prescribed. If the patient still suffers from pain, then surgery such as microdiscectomy or laminectomy is performed to relieve the pain and other symptoms.

1. Laminectomy:

It is a type of back surgery performed to relieve the spinal cord compression. The surgeon performs the surgery under anesthesia. The Neurosurgeon will remove the lamina which is a part of the bone and it forms vertebral arches in the spine. Along with lamina, bone spurs are also removed. Since these structures cause pressure on the nerve root/spinal cord, they are completely removed.

2. Microdiscectomy

In this surgical procedure, herniated portion of the disc is removed under general anesthesia. This procedure is typically used when the herniated disc is needed to be treated but not necessarily to be removed from the spine. Artificial disc/wire fusions are used to replace the herniated disc. Microdiscectomy completely negates pain.

Dr. Shyam Sundar is a leading neurosurgeon in Chennai, who specialized in dealing with different conditions related to brain and spine. He provides treatmentand diagnosis for Ruptured Disc in Chennai.
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