Slipped disc treatment
What is a slipped disc?
In between our spinal
vertebrae, we have intervertebral discs that act as shock absorber and a source
of nutrition for them. As shown in the image, a normal disc comprises of inner
gelatinous material called as nucleus pulposus and outer fibrocartilaginous
ring called annulus fibrosus. If there is break in the continuity of annulus
fibrosus, the inner nucleus material may escape out and start putting pressure
on the exiting nerve. This is referred to as “Slipped disc”
What are the symptoms?
Each spinal nerve has
both sensory and motor components. Sensory part carries the information about
the surroundings via the receptors and sends it to the brain. Once this
information is processed by the brain, it sends information to the muscles and
body parts to bring about movement or other bodily functions via the motor
component.
In case of slipped
disc, due to the pressure built up on the nerve, the patient experiences
symptoms as follows:
a.
Sensory: Pain, tingling, numbness, burning, along the
area that is innervated by the sensory part of the affected nerve.
b.
Motor: Muscle weakness of the muscles supplied by the
involved nerve. The patient will have difficulty with movements thus affecting
his daily functions and activities. In long standing cases, the muscle may lose
its bulk due to wasting.
What are the treatment options?
a.
Conservative
i.
Medical: Your physician can start you on pain relieving
medications such as NSAIDS, oral steroids, muscle relaxants etc. He/she may
also prescribe medications to soothe the nerves depending upon the case.
ii.
Physical therapy: Physical therapist may use different
approaches such as McKenzie, Mulligan, Neurodynamics, Kinetic control, Taping,
electrotherapy etc. Few medical movements (based on thorough physical
assessment) will be prescribed to you with specific dosage of repetition,
frequency and intensity. It is also accompanied with certain do's and don'ts to
ensure that the involved structure is not irritated further.
iii.
Passive therapy: These include use of hot and cold
packs. They are beneficial in reducing the inflammation.
b.
Surgical:
The gold
standard surgical procedures are open and micro surgical discectomy. A new
technique called micro endoscopic surgery is also available now. Its outcomes
are found to be similar to those of micro discectomy. With further
technological advances, these procedures have minimal incision, less tissue
damage, faster recovery, and lesser hospitalization.
However, surgical options should only be considered when the
nonsurgical approaches have failed or if there is a serious condition that is
compromising the patient's quality of life.
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