A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like inner material of an intervertebral disc leaks through a tear in the disc’s tough, fibrous outer wall. This condition is often asymptomatic. In fact, unless the extruded inner material makes contact with the tiny nerves that feed into the disc wall, the spinal cord, or an adjacent nerve root, there is a chance that someone can go through all the stages of a disc herniation and never know it.

How then, is a herniated disc recognizable? To begin with, self-diagnosis is almost never advisable, because the symptoms produced by nerve compression caused by a disc herniation are so similar to many other degenerative spine conditions. These neurological symptoms can include:

– Focal pain at the site of the nerve compression
– A sharp, dull, or burning sensation in the neck or back
– Pain that radiates along the length of a compressed nerve
– Tingling in body parts innervated by the compressed nerve
– Numbness in body parts innervated by the compressed nerve
– Weakness in muscle groups innervated by the compressed nerve

What Else Can Cause Spinal Nerve Compression?

In addition to a herniated disc, nerve compression can be related to spine conditions such as osteoarthritis, bone spurs, a bulging disc, and spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage). These conditions can be caused by traumatic injury, but usually are a result of the aging process. Over the years, the discs, vertebrae, ligaments, and other anatomical components of the spine are subjected to a great deal of wear and tear. Discs begin to lose water content and become brittle and weak. Ligaments begin to calcify. The cartilage of vertebral joints begins to wear away. All of this deterioration can have an adverse effect on the overall stability of the spine, which can lead to painful, potentially debilitating spinal nerve compression.

What Do I Do if I Think I Have A Pinched Spinal Nerve?

If someone begins to experience symptoms of spinal nerve compression, a visit to the doctor is the first step toward finding out whether a herniated disc or some other condition may be responsible. The first thing a doctor will do is ask about the severity, location, nature, and history of the symptoms. The doctor also will want to know if there is a family history of degenerative spine conditions, because many of the underlying causes of spinal nerve compression are believed to be inheritable.

Once the questions have been asked and answered, the doctor will conduct an examination. This can include palpation of the symptomatic areas of the body, especially along the spine, as well as tests for reflexes, range of motion, and muscle strength. Still, even though these questions and tests can guide a doctor in the direction of a herniated disc diagnosis, the only way to find the exact location of nerve compression is through the use of medical imaging. This can include:

– An X-ray of the vertebral segment suspected of disc herniation
– A CT (computed tomography) scan
– An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Once the diagnosis of a herniated disc has been confirmed, the patient and doctor will work together to develop a treatment plan. The plan usually will begin conservatively, with a combination of pain medication, stretching, low-impact exercise, and other nonsurgical methods. Surgery normally becomes an option only if chronic symptoms persist after several weeks or months of conservative treatment.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of herniated discs and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: Herniated disc