A person with a herniated discs may be told by the doctor that degenerative disc disease led to the lumbar herniated disc. This term can be alarming and misleading. Degenerative disc disease is not a progressive disease per se, and it does not always cause chronic or persistent problems.
What Are Herniated Discs?
Spinal discs separate each individual vertebra and soak up shock. Without them, the bones in your spine would grind against each another, and you'd be unable to absorb the impact of trauma and body weight. More than just protective, these cushions also give the spine flexibility, making movements such as twisting and bending possible.
The result can be intense pain in your back, along with weakness in an arm or leg. Numbness can also occur, since the nerve signals are being blocked. Making it all more troublesome is the fact that the gel can release a chemical irritant that may contribute to nerve inflammation and pain.
Symptoms
In most cases, low back pain is the first symptom of a herniated disk. This pain may last for a few days, then improve. Other symptoms may include:
Sciatica. This is a sharp, often shooting pain that extends from the buttock down the back of one leg. It is caused by pressure on the spinal nerve.
Numbness or a tingling sensation in the leg and/or foot
Weakness in the leg and/or foot
Loss of bladder or bowel control. This is extremely rare and may indicate a more serious problem called cauda equina syndrome. This condition is caused by the spinal nerve roots being compressed. It requires immediate medical attention.
Risk Factors
Certain factors may increase your risk of a herniated disk. These include:
Gender. Men between the ages of 20 and 50 are most likely to have a herniated disk.
Improper lifting. Using your back muscles instead of your legs to lift heavy objects can cause a herniated disk. Twisting while you lift can also make your back vulnerable. Lifting with your legs, not your back, may protect your spine.
Weight. Being overweight puts added stress on the disks in your lower back.
Repetitive activities that strain your spine. Many jobs are physically demanding. Some require constant lifting, pulling, bending, or twisting. Using safe lifting and movement techniques can help protect your back.
Frequent driving. Staying seated for long periods, plus the vibration from the car engine, can put pressure on your spine and disks.
Sedentary lifestyle. Regular exercise is important in preventing many medical conditions, including a herniated disk.
Smoking. It is believed that smoking lessens the oxygen supply to the disk and causes more rapid degeneration.
What Are Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs?
Most people who have herniated discs respond well to conservative treatment and do not require surgery. In addition to physical therapy and pain-relieving medications as recommended by your doctor, these are a few things you can do to feel better.
Get to a healthy weight. Excess weight can worsen compression in the spine, so dropping some pounds may alleviate pain.
Quit smoking. In addition to contributing to chronic disease, smoking is a major risk factor for degenerative disc disease, particularly in the lower back and neck.
Do low-impact activity. Bed rest may be tempting, but it can lead to more muscle stiffness and weakness.
Do core exercises. You’ll want to strengthen your "girdle" of core-muscle support in your abdomen and lower back. Your doctor or physical therapist can recommend moves that are safe for you.
Consider an epidural steroid injection: Your doctor may suggest this type of injection, called an ESI, as a minimally invasive procedure that can reduce inflammation in the affected nerve. Relief usually lasts about three months, which may be enough for your back to heal so you don't need a follow-up injection.
Considerations
With both surgical and nonsurgical treatment, there is a 5% to 10% chance that the disk will herniate again.
The risk of nonsurgical treatment is that your symptoms may take a long time to resolve. Patients who try nonsurgical treatment for too long before electing to have surgery may experience less improvement of pain and function than those who elect to have surgery earlier. Your doctor will talk with you about how long you should try nonsurgical measures before considering surgery.
