Herniated Disc

A herniated disc can cause shockingly severe back or neck pain. The esteemed board-certified pain management providers at Pain Medicine of the South can quickly determine the point of disc herniation and provide traditional and leading-edge treatment options at their Knoxville, Tennessee, office. To get compassionate care right away, call the office or click on the online booking feature now. 

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc occurs when one of your spinal discs — the round cushions between your spinal vertebrae — develops a crack in its tough outer shell. 

The gel-like disc contents leak out into your spinal canal through the crack. This puts pressure on your spinal nerves and can lead to severe pain and other issues.

The most common place for disc herniation is the lumbar (lower) spine, but herniated discs can also occur in your cervical (upper) spine, and, very rarely, in your middle (thoracic) spine. 

What does a herniated disc feel like?

Symptoms can vary depending on where in the spine the herniation occurs and the extent of the damage. With a lumbar disc herniation, you may have: 

• Lower back pain
• Shooting pain moving from your lower back down one buttock and leg (sciatica)
• Numbness in your buttock or leg
• Leg muscle weakness, which may cause stumbling

Herniated cervical discs cause similar symptoms in your neck, shoulder, and arm. A thoracic herniated disc can cause symptoms around your shoulder blade area, and the pain, numbness, or tingling may radiate to the leg or arm.

Severe disc herniation may lead to bladder and bowel dysfunction. 

What causes herniated discs?

Most herniated discs happen because of natural age-related changes in your spine. Over the years, your discs grow harder and lose flexibility, making them more prone to damage. 

Repetitive movements that strain your spine, heavy lifting, and even twisting or bending at a bad angle can all cause disc herniation. It can be hard to know exactly what caused the disc herniation because it’s often a routine movement. 

Though quite uncommon, disc herniation can also occur in accidents like auto accidents, falls, or blows to the back.

How are herniated discs treated?

Pain Medicine of the South offers numerous noninvasive and minimally invasive solutions for herniated disc pain. If physical therapy and oral medication aren’t effective for you, the team may recommend corticosteroid injections to relieve inflammation and swelling. 

It’s quite rare to need surgery for a herniated disc, but if you don’t respond to other minimally invasive treatments, the team can recommend a surgical procedure to remove the painful disc or create more space in your spine. 

If you’re hurting and wondering if you have a herniated disc, call Pain Medicine of the South today or book your consultation online with a caring expert now.