Is Slipped Disc Surgery Right for Me?

The concept of slipped disc surgery is somewhat misunderstood. For starters, a “slipped disc” isn’t actually a medical condition but rather a colloquial term that is used to describe a herniated disc in the spinal column. The reason that this differentiation is important is because the intervertebral disc does not “slip” out of position but can rupture (herniated disc) or bulge (bulging disc), which can be extremely painful and require medical treatment. That said, slipped disc surgery is almost always considered the treatment of last resort when all other options, including a variety of nonsurgical methods, have been exhausted.

The Spinal Anatomy

We rely on our spinal column for an awful lot. Our back and neck has to be extremely flexible to allow for the subtlety of motion that we require on a constant basis and also must be exceptionally strong to support the weight of the body. In order to serve these dual functions, a number of anatomical elements in the spinal column must work in concert. Among these components are the intervertebral discs that are situated in between adjacent vertebrae. These discs act like shock absorbers for the spine and allow the vertebrae to articulate comfortably without rubbing against one another.

The problem with these discs, however, is that they – like most everything else in the body – are susceptible to wear and tear. Over the years, these discs gradually deteriorate, which accounts, in part, for the diminished flexibility and minor aches and pains that most people associate with growing older. However, in some cases, disc degeneration can occasionally lead to chronic, severe pain, which is when an individual is likely to consider slipped disc surgery.

Pain

One interesting thing to note about a herniated disc is that this condition is exceedingly common and not always symptomatic. Instead, pain usually develops when extruded disc material or the disc wall itself comes in contact with the spinal cord or any of the nerve roots in the spinal column. The specific symptoms that the patient experiences depends entirely on the location, severity, and cause of the his or her disc problem. This can be inherently difficult to diagnose, however, because sometimes symptoms travel down the affected nerve root, causing symptoms to be experienced in a different, seemingly unrelated part of the body. For instance, a herniated disc in the neck (cervical spine) can cause numbness or tingling in the fingertips. Other common symptoms of this condition include:

– Localized back or neck pain

– A sensation of pins and needles

– Radiating pain

– Diminished reflexes

– And more

Treatment Options

In most cases, effectively treating the symptoms of a slipped disc can be done without surgery. Once the condition is accurately diagnosed and the source of the pain is pinpointed, a doctor will usually work with the patient to develop a carefully tailored treatment regimen for the specific condition. This can entail any number of techniques, including low-impact exercise, stretching, hot/cold therapy, over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatories, and more.

However, while there are a tremendous variety of potential treatments available, it is exceedingly important that you follow your doctor’s recommendation and only utilize the techniques that are recommended for your condition. The wrong approach can exacerbate symptoms or prove to be a waste of time.

When Surgery is Considered

While slipped disc surgery is usually considered the last resort, for a select segment of the population, this course of treatment can be a godsend. The trick, however, is finding the right kind of procedure for your condition because there are several options out there. For some individuals, spine fusion is required to maintain spinal stability and physically remove the source of the patient’s pain. This treatment, however, is highly invasive and will require extensive recovery and rehabilitation. Other patients may turn to an endoscopic procedure as an alternative. These minimally invasive spine procedures are designed to alleviate symptoms without the recovery and rehabilitation of an open spine operation. To learn more about your options, do your homework and schedule consultations with a variety of specialists in your area.

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 slipped disc surgery procedures and procedures for several other spinal conditions as well.

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 procedures for the treatment of slipped discs. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/slipped_disc/treatment/surgery

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 slipped disc surgery procedures and procedures for several other spinal conditions as well.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
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