The spinal column extends from the base of the skull to the pelvis. It is composed of thirty-three vertebrae. These vertebrae allow motion and render flexibility while the bones, ligaments and muscles provide stability. The spinal column is designed as such to enable the performance of day to day activities – motion for the neck and back, and support for the upper body weight.
In between the individual vertebrae bodies are discs. It appears to be in a stacked position wherein the discs serve as protection to keep the neck and back mobile while minimizing friction between vertebrae. The disk has a tough exterior (annulus fibrosus) with a soft gel in the middle (nucleus pulposus). The outer part is made up of concentric sheets of collagen fibers. Both are composed of water, collagen and proteoglycans but fluid content is much higher in the inner core.
Due to a variety of reasons, these discs can degenerate causing the inner core to go through a tear in the outer core. When this happens, the disc can inflame nearby nerves, the outer core and the spinal column, which in turn causes pain, numbness and other excruciating results. This spinal condition is what we call a herniated disc.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
The symptoms of a herniated disk will vary depending on the cause, position of the disc in the spine and severity of the herniation. Also, if whether or not a nearby nerve has already been inflamed. It commonly occurs in the cervical and lumbar spines because this is the part that inhibits more movement and support for the weight of the upper body. It’s also possible for the herniation not to inhibit any symptoms at all. The following are example of the many symptoms that occur due to disk herniation:
- Unexplained muscle weakness in the neck
- Numbness in shoulders, arms and hands
- Pain when walking
- Tingling or burning sensations in the back
- Upper back pain
- Lower back pain
- Back stiffness
- Pain in legs
- Numbness in legs
- Muscle weakness of lower extremities
- Incontinence of bowel and bladder
Most of the symptoms can be identified with the part of the spine that has been affected. In the cervical spine section, symptoms usually appear in the arms, hands, head and neck. For symptoms that occur in the thoracic section of the spine, it usually happens in the chest, ribs, shoulders and stomach. Lastly, for the lumbar spine section, it is usually found in the lower extremities.
If a nerve has been affected, then symptoms can appear in part of the body affiliated with the affected nerve. It is best to consult a doctor if you have questions about herniated discs.
How Are Herniated Discs Treated?
Treatment for herniated discs varies depending on which part of the spine is affected and the gravity of the condition. There is a long-range of treatments from conservative care to surgical procedures. It is best to consult a physician to ensure the appropriate treatment as there are other factors to be considered such as a patient’s medical history. Also, for a complete diagnosis to take place, the physician will order the necessary imaging or nerve tests based on the symptoms. Some patients may need immediate surgical attention while others may only need beneficial lifestyle changes.
Recovering From Surgery After a Herniated Disc
Immediately after the surgery, one will feel pain due to the incision made during the operation. Usually, one isn’t able to immediately mobile as further observations will still be made. The doctor will inform the patient about the recovery period and the steps that need to be made.
The period of full recovery will depend upon the kind of surgery that was made. It is important to make not of these things as surgery might require time off of work. Even though one’s work may not involve physical labor, it may still take time before one can return. The recovery can sometimes take longer or shorter time depending on individual progress.
Recovery differs for each person. Hence, it is important to be positive and realistic about one’s progress. The key is to be dedicated to the steps the doctor have given to fully recover. Remember that just because one feels better doesn’t mean that the muscles in the body can easily take sudden strenuous activity. The purpose of the recovery is gradual recovery to ensure optimal function for the spine and the muscles.
Although surgery will remove the herniated disc to alleviate pain or other symptoms, after surgery recovery is still essential to render the spine fully-functional and healthy. It generally might involve a series of treatments to ensure a successful recovery.
Get Plenty of Rest
The period of hospitalization depends on the kind of surgery that was performed. If an open spine surgery was conducted then, a patient would usually take more time recovering in the hospital for a couple of days. If a minimally invasive surgery was performed then there usually is no hospitalization involved. However, the patient will be asked take some rest at home. This includes avoiding activities that could place heavy pressure on the spine such as bending, lifting – especially heavy objects – and twisting the torso. It can help improve the healing stages of the spine during recovery period.
Stick to Your Prescribed Medication Schedule
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is usually administered post-surgery to ease pain that come from inflamed areas in the spine.
Physical Therapy Can Make a Huge Difference
Therapy sessions are essential. They don’t always have to be with a physical therapist but it involves low-impact exercises to help ease the spine into normal activity. Exercises should gradually increase in intensity. Physical therapists will aid in suggesting exercises that are best for the given condition.
Recovering From Open Spine Surgery
While a full recovery from an open spine herniated disc surgery could take several months to a year, the recovery associated with a minimally invasive procedure is typically much faster and far less arduous. This shortened recovery is largely because minimally invasive procedures don’t require the large incisions and muscle disruption that open spine surgeries require. Just as previously mentioned above, a patient needs to stay in the hospital for several days after this kind of surgery for further care and observations. Evidently, it will take much longer to return to work and other activities.
Recovering From Minimally Invasive Surgery
The recovery will depend upon the procedures made during the surgery – stabilization or decompression. However, they won’t be asked to stay in the hospital for several days after the surgery. In fact, this is considered to be an outpatient kind of surgery.
Herniated Disc vs Bulging Disc
Yes there is a difference between the two! Often they are mistaken to be the same thing but they actually share stark differences. However, there are also similarities. Hence, they are often interchanged.
How Are They Similar?
- Both of these conditions are related to the disc that lie in between the individual vertebrae in the spine giving a stack-like picture of the spine. These discs absorb shock from the movements made by the body and support made for the body’s upper weight. It minimizes friction between the vertebrae.
- Both can lead to similar symptoms such as localized pain, numbness, muscle weakness and burning sensations.
- Both could possibly affect nearby nerves in the spine.
- Both have the same causes as discussed here such as aging, spinal trauma, overweight, etc.
How Are Herniated Discs Different?
A herniated disc involves a rupture in the tough exterior, known as the annulus fibrosus. This causes the inner gel-like substance (nuclear pulpous) to push out of the tear. That has an affect not only the outer wall, but also the spinal cord and surrounding nerves.
On the other hand, a bulging disc doesn’t involve a rupture or tear in the outer wall. It only involves a portion of the outer wall perimeter. Hence, no inner substance has actually come out of the disc. Instead, it looks like the disc is protruding from the spinal cord.
It should also be noted that while they usually produce similar symptoms, herniated discs are more severe in nature