A herniated disc can be a very painful problem. It involves problems in the structure of the spine. The human spine is compused of bones called verterbrae and soft tissue called discs in between them. These discs can become damaged and herniate, causing pain.
The spinal discs are composed of an outer ring of tough collagen, called the annulus fibrosus, which contains a gel center called the nucleus pulposus. The gel can lose water and deteriorate, which can cause the outer ring to crack and break. The gel can then leak out of the center. This causes the disc to push on the nearby nerves, resulting in pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. A herniated disc can be extremely painful and have a detrimental effect on your life.
An MRI will generally clearly show the disc herniation. CT scans and X-ray imaging can help, but an MRI is the best way to see disc problems. Since herniated discs can also cause nerve damage, an EMG may be performed.
If you have a herniated disc, it will probably resolve on its own. However, this can take up to two years, and in the meantime you will have to deal with pain. Medications such as tramadol, hydrocodone, and Darvocet can be prescribed to help lessen the pain. Physical therapy can make drastic improvements, or your doctor may do a spinal injection such as an epidural.
Herniated discs can be a painful problem, but they can be resolved with relatively minor treatments. If you have pain, weakness, or tingling, see your doctor to confirm and treat your herniated disc.
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