Can you cure slipped disc

In more severe cases, your doctor may replace the disc with an artificial one or remove the disc and fuse your vertebrae together. This procedure, along with a laminectomy and spinal fusion , adds stability to your spinal column. Most people with a slipped disc respond well to conservative treatment. Within six weeks their pain and discomfort will gradually lessen. It may not be possible to prevent a slipped disc, but you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing a slipped disc.

These steps include:. If you're dealing with lower back pain, you know how difficult it can be to get a good night's sleep. Most lower back pain is a result of stress or….

Experiencing lower back pain? Sometimes, all you need are some simple exercises for your lower back. That's why we've put together a simple routine of…. A herniated disc pushes into the spinal canal.

It may cause pain, numbness, or weakness. Read about treatment options, including various types of…. A bulging disc in your neck can cause pain in your neck, shoulders, chest, and arms. Read about causes, diagnosis, and treatment options. A herniated disc can cause pain and discomfort that disrupts your life. These exercises and stretches will help you find relief and ease the pain.

Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed on patients with a herniated lumbar disc. Spinal fusion is a procedure that permanently joins two vertebrae into one solid bone. It treats disorders such as herniated discs. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health.

Slipped Herniated Disc. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Surgery is typically not recommended unless the problem does not respond to therapy, if you are having an increasingly hard time moving, or if your doctor believes the spinal cord is being compressed. To continue reading this article, you must log in. Already a member? Login ». As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Check if it's a slipped disc A slipped disc also called a prolapsed or herniated disc can cause: lower back pain numbness or tingling in your shoulders, back, arms, hands, legs or feet neck pain problems bending or straightening your back muscle weakness pain in the buttocks, hips or legs if the disc is pressing on the sciatic nerve sciatica Not all slipped discs cause symptoms.

Other causes of back pain Sometimes the pain may be a result of an injury such as a sprain or strain , but often there's no obvious reason. How you can ease the pain from a slipped disc yourself Keep active If the pain is very bad, you may need to rest at first.

Take painkillers Alternate painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. A pharmacist can help with a slipped disc Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs like ibuprofen are not suitable for everyone.

Find a pharmacy. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you have back pain and:. Find a physiotherapist. Do keep active — take regular exercise use a safe technique when lifting heavy objects.

It's not possible to diagnose a herniated disc with this test alone. Conservative nonsurgical treatment is the first step to recovery and may include medication, rest, physical therapy, home exercises, hydrotherapy, epidural steroid injections ESI , chiropractic manipulation, and pain management. Self care : In most cases, the pain from a herniated disc will get better within a couple days and completely resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Medication : Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications NSAIDs , muscle relaxants, and steroids.

Steroid injections : The procedure is performed under x-ray fluoroscopy and involves an injection of corticosteroids and a numbing agent into the epidural space of the spine. The medicine is delivered next to the painful area to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the nerves Fig. Repeat injections may be given to achieve the full effect. Duration of pain relief varies, lasting for weeks or years. Physical therapy: The goal of physical therapy is to help you return to full activity as soon as possible and prevent re-injury.

Exercise and strengthening exercises are key elements to your treatment and should become part of your life-long fitness. Surgery for a herniated lumbar disc, called a discectomy, may be an option if your symptoms do not significantly improve with conservative treatments.

Surgery may also be recommended if you have signs of nerve damage, such as weakness or loss of feeling in your legs. Microsurgical discectomy : The surgeon makes a 1—2 inch incision in the middle of your back. To reach the damaged disc, the spinal muscles are dissected and moved aside to expose the vertebra.

A portion of the bone is removed to expose the nerve root and disc. The portion of the ruptured disc that touches your spinal nerve is carefully removed using special instruments. Minimally invasive microendoscopic discectomy : The surgeon makes a tiny incision in the back. Small tubes called dilators are used with increasing diameter to enlarge a tunnel to the vertebra. The surgeon uses either an endoscope or a microscope to remove the ruptured disc.

This technique causes less muscle injury than a traditional discectomy. Clinical trials are research studies in which new treatments—drugs, diagnostics, procedures, and other therapies—are tested in people to see if they are safe and effective.

Research is always being conducted to improve the standard of medical care. Information about current clinical trials, including their eligibility, protocol, and locations are found on the web. Back pain affects 8 of 10 people at some time in their lives, and usually resolves within 6 weeks.

A positive mental attitude, regular activity, and a prompt return to work are all very important elements of recovery. If your regular job cannot be done initially, it is in the patient's best interest to return to some kind of modified light or restricted duty.