Herniated Disk
Over 80% of people experience an episode of low back pain
Herniated disk, also called a slipped disk or ruptured disk, occurs when the spongy, jelly-like material found between the vertebrae in the spine bulge out of place. This becomes a problem when the disk bulge contacts a nerve or narrows the spinal canal (stenosis).
A person’s occupation and age can contribute to a herniated disk. People with physically demanding jobs, or jobs that require repeated movements like lifting or twisting, have a greater risk of herniated disk.
Genetics also plays a major role in herniated disk as it does in many other health-related conditions. A person may inherit a predisposition for herniated disk.
Many people never know they have a herniated disk.
However, those who do experience symptoms from a herniated disk may have the following:
- Arm or leg pain
- Numbness or tingling in the part of the body affected by the nerve
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- In severe or rare cases, the loss of control of bowel or bladder
Your physician may order any of the following tests to help diagnose a herniated disk:
- X-Ray
- MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Myelogram
- CT Scan – Computerized Tomography
- Nerve tests/EMG
Treatments for herniated disk may include:
- Traction
- Ultrasound
- Electrical stimulation
- Bracing the neck or back
- Physical Therapy
- Epidural steroid injections