Herniated discs account for the numerous incidences of the chronic back. If you realize the signs of a herniated disc, Woodbury Spine’s orthopaedic spine specialists Chris Hennessey, PA, and Evan O’Brien, MD, could assist. They provide expert invasive procedures, such as laminectomy and microdiscectomy, as well as a variety of non-invasive therapies at their clinic in Woodbury, NJ. Call the office or book an appointment online today to obtain lasting relief from a herniated disk in Woodbury.
What Is the Definition of a Herniated Disc?
The intervertebral discs are spongy pads with a strong outer shell and a soft inner core. Herniation develops whenever the jelly-like interior of the disc presses through a weak area on the disc’s exterior.
A herniated disc can happen anywhere along your spine. Nevertheless, it most commonly impacts the lumbar (lower back) or neck (cervical) vertebrae.
The tissue damage could be uncomfortable, but one of the most serious issues with a herniated disc is that the bulging core strains nerves, which exit the spine. Weakness, numbness, tingling, and serious back pain are all symptoms of nerve pressure.
What Are the Triggers of a Herniated Disc?
A traumatic event, including a car collision, might rupture the annulus, the disc’s outer fibers. The nucleus could sometimes pop out of the disc. A lifting injury is the most prevalent trigger of a herniated disc. However, some discs herniate without any particular injury.
Degenerative disc condition occurs with time as a consequence of normal aging. Once your discs are at their peak, they have increased water content, rendering them plump and stretchy. The water content of the discs reduces as you age, and the discs flatten and forfeit their flexibility.
The disc’s outer layer develops weak areas. The center pushes against these places, prompting them to protrude, and in certain circumstances, the sensitive tissue gives room, enabling the core to pass.
What Treatments Are Available to Assist With a Herniated Disc?
In some individuals, Dr. O’Brien discovered that combining medicines, activity reduction, and physical therapy is enough to treat herniated disc symptoms.
Epidural steroid injections could efficiently alleviate swelling in patients with persistent discomfort, or you may profit from radiofrequency ablation to deaden the nerve terminals.
If your herniated disc is particularly serious or unresponsive to non-invasive therapies, you may require surgery. For herniated discs, Dr. O’Brien provides several invasive alternatives, including:
v Microdiscectomy
Employing high-powered magnification, a microdiscectomy removes only the affected area of your disc. An endoscope could sometimes be used to view the troublesome disc via a little tube the size of a pencil. Open surgery with a 1.5-inch incision is sometimes the best option to completely eliminate the problematic disc fragment.
v Discectomy and Fusion
Whenever a herniation develops in somebody who already struggles with chronic back pain due to improved degenerative disc disease, Dr. O’Brien eliminates the affected disc and puts a bone graft and structural implant, which irreversibly unites the vertebrae on both sides. Dr. O’Brien focuses on procedures that entail:
ü ACDF (anterior cervical disc fusion)
ü ALIF (anterior lumbar interbody fusion)
ü TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion)
ü LLIF (lateral lumbar interbody fusion)
v Synthetic Disc Replacement
Following a discectomy, Dr. O’Brien may insert an artificial disc. Synthetic discs allow you to move your spine more organically, but they are not suitable for everyone. This procedure is recommended whenever a disc herniation pinches a nerve with minimal indication of arthritis.
If not treated, a herniated disc could have adverse consequences on your health and well-being, including perpetual nerve damage. For efficient treatment of your herniated disc discomfort, schedule an initial consultation at Woodbury Spine through mobile or book online.