A ruptured disc injury occurs when the fluid from a spinal disc’s nucleus escapes through a crack in the outer ring of the disc, known as the annulus fibrosus. The fluid usually applies pressure to a nerve causing pain. The most common ruptured disc treatment usually involves such non-invasive treatments as anti-inflammatory medications, exercise and physical therapy. With more serious ruptures, the condition may require surgical treatment. In many cases, a combination of non-invasive and surgical treatments are used.
The most common ruptured disc treatment involves non-invasive techniques, such as medication, and physical therapy. Doctors usually prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to reduce inflammation that may be the root cause of the pain. Proper exercise and modalities, including traction, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation, can also relieve back pain. A physical therapist can design an individualized program that best serves each patient. These methods are often used because it can reduce patient pain to a level where they may resume normal activity in four to six weeks without the risks posed by surgery.
The next option in ruptured disc treatment normally involves surgery. A number of factors come into play when surgery is considered, such as location of the pain, severity of the ruptured disc, and the extent of nerve compression. The most common surgery in the US is conventional discectomy. An incision about 2 inches (5 cm) long creates a window allowing the surgeon to remove the injured disc. Patients normally recover rapidly and report almost instant relief from back pain.
There are 23 discs in the human spine. They rest between each vertebrae and serve as a kind of biological shock absorber. They also act as pivot points allowing the spine to twist, bend, and rotate. Ruptures usually result from excessive bending, twisting, and lifting or from pressure applied over long periods of time. A ruptured disc can cause serious pain with muscle spasms and is sometimes accompanied by sciatic nerve pain which shoots through the leg and, at times, down to the foot.
A ruptured disc is normally diagnosed by a physical examination. If this method falls short, a doctor may recommend the use of a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. After the full extent of the injury is understood, a physician can determine the course of treatment.
Non-invasive and surgical treatment methods of ruptured disc treatment have proven successful. Most doctors try other treatment methods before resorting to surgery in order to avoid common risk factors associated with any operation. Back pain from a ruptured disc can be extremely painful, and if left untreated, can severely limit a patient’s mobility. It is suggested that patients contact their doctors immediately after experiencing back pain.