The human spinal cord is protected by bony vertebrae which are separated from each other by gelatinous discs. When one of these discs becomes injured, the inner part of it may protrude into surrounding nerves, which can cause a great deal of pain. When afflicted with spinal disc herniation Ashburn VA patients need to find out what pain management and treatment options they have.
Most physicians will already strongly suspect a herniation and have an idea of where it is located based on the symptoms the patient describes. A proper diagnosis includes doing a physical examination, obtaining a full medical background of the patient, and requesting diagnostic imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI to confirm their preliminary findings.
Similar in some respect to degenerative disc disease, herniation actually stems from a different source and results in another classification of pain. The former occurs within the disc space and leads to axial pain. The latter happens due to aging or an injury, and is responsible for radicular, or nerve root pain. Most often seen in the lower spine, it can also produce sciatica, a painful sensation extending from the buttocks to the legs.
Most lumbar, or lower back herniations lead to pain felt in one or both legs, as it travels along the large sciatic nerve. It is actually more common for a patient to feel leg pain than discomfort in the lower back. Muscle weakness, impaired ankle reflexes, and tingling or numbness felt in the legs or feet are also associated with this type of disorder.
When six weeks have passed, and the patient shows no signs of natural recovery from a lumbar herniation, the doctor will normally start a treatment regimen of non-surgical therapies. One or a combination of chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, hot and cold applications, epidural cortisone injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral steroids may be employed. In cases where relief is minimal or none, surgical intervention in the forma of a microdiscectomy or lumbar fusion surgery may be required.
Somewhat less common, cervical herniations are found in the neck, and are usually seen in young or middle-aged adults. Depending on the site of the nerve impingement, pain may be felt anywhere from the shoulder to the fingertips and in between. The arms are affected most often in the form of tingling and numbness along with discomfort. Some people may also find it hard to grip with their hands.
Pain caused by cervical disc herniation will first be addressed by non-surgical means and in many cases it responds positively, but the numbness may persist a bit longer. Patients may undergo chiropractic adjustment, traction, physical therapy, activity modification, or bracing, and be prescribed narcotic pain killers or muscle relaxants. If these measure do not resolve the pain, it will be necessary to surgically repair the disc.
While a herniation of the thoracic spine is the least common form of this condition, it can still happen. This variation of herniated disc is often unsymptomatic, and patients may be unaware of its existence in some cases. If pain is apparent, the physician will recommend such treatments as ice packs, strengthening exercises, chiropractic adjustment, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory injections. More often than not, non-surgical therapy will work, but when it doesn't, decompression surgery may be called for.
Most physicians will already strongly suspect a herniation and have an idea of where it is located based on the symptoms the patient describes. A proper diagnosis includes doing a physical examination, obtaining a full medical background of the patient, and requesting diagnostic imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI to confirm their preliminary findings.
Similar in some respect to degenerative disc disease, herniation actually stems from a different source and results in another classification of pain. The former occurs within the disc space and leads to axial pain. The latter happens due to aging or an injury, and is responsible for radicular, or nerve root pain. Most often seen in the lower spine, it can also produce sciatica, a painful sensation extending from the buttocks to the legs.
Most lumbar, or lower back herniations lead to pain felt in one or both legs, as it travels along the large sciatic nerve. It is actually more common for a patient to feel leg pain than discomfort in the lower back. Muscle weakness, impaired ankle reflexes, and tingling or numbness felt in the legs or feet are also associated with this type of disorder.
When six weeks have passed, and the patient shows no signs of natural recovery from a lumbar herniation, the doctor will normally start a treatment regimen of non-surgical therapies. One or a combination of chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, hot and cold applications, epidural cortisone injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral steroids may be employed. In cases where relief is minimal or none, surgical intervention in the forma of a microdiscectomy or lumbar fusion surgery may be required.
Somewhat less common, cervical herniations are found in the neck, and are usually seen in young or middle-aged adults. Depending on the site of the nerve impingement, pain may be felt anywhere from the shoulder to the fingertips and in between. The arms are affected most often in the form of tingling and numbness along with discomfort. Some people may also find it hard to grip with their hands.
Pain caused by cervical disc herniation will first be addressed by non-surgical means and in many cases it responds positively, but the numbness may persist a bit longer. Patients may undergo chiropractic adjustment, traction, physical therapy, activity modification, or bracing, and be prescribed narcotic pain killers or muscle relaxants. If these measure do not resolve the pain, it will be necessary to surgically repair the disc.
While a herniation of the thoracic spine is the least common form of this condition, it can still happen. This variation of herniated disc is often unsymptomatic, and patients may be unaware of its existence in some cases. If pain is apparent, the physician will recommend such treatments as ice packs, strengthening exercises, chiropractic adjustment, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory injections. More often than not, non-surgical therapy will work, but when it doesn't, decompression surgery may be called for.
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For treatments on your spinal disc herniation Ashburn VA spine clinic is the right place to be. Schedule for an examination as soon as possible through this link http://ashburnspinecare.com.
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