Disk Herniations

Chronic back or neck pain can be the first warning sign of a disc herniation. At DFW Spine Joint & Pain, Nikki Fox, DO, and Amy Gregor, NP, specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disc herniation and the symptoms it can cause. The providers use advanced imaging technologies to locate the damaged disc and customize a care plan to relieve your pain. They offer epidural injections, physical therapy, and other non-surgical treatments to improve your spine health. Call the office in Fort Worth, Texas, to schedule a consultation, or book an appointment online today. 

What is disc herniation?

A disc herniation occurs when the protective discs between your spinal vertebrae become damaged from trauma or degenerative disease. These discs feature a tough outer shell and a soft, gel-like center.

When too much pressure is put on the disc, it can herniate and force the gel center outward. These materials can press on nearby nerves, which causes persistent pain that radiates through your back, neck, hips, or limbs.

Pressure on your spinal discs can be the result of:

• Spine injuries
• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoarthritis 
• Excessive weight
• Degenerative disc disease

You might also be at an increased risk for disc herniation due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking or a lack of physical activity. 

Disc herniation most commonly occurs in the central, paracentral, or lateral ligaments that provide stability to your spine.

When should I seek treatment for disc herniation?

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at DFW Spine Joint & Pain if you have symptoms of a disc herniation that you can’t manage on your own. These symptoms can include:

• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness

With a disc herniation, you may experience electric shock-like pain that radiates into your arms, legs, or hips. Over time and without treatment, the pain can worsen and become debilitating.

The DFW Spine Joint & Pain providers offer advanced diagnostic imaging tests to identify the location of a disc herniation. Based on your testing results, they create a treatment plan to reduce pressure on your nerves and achieve long-lasting pain relief.

How is disc herniation treated?

To reduce the pain of a disc herniation, the DFW Spine Joint & Pain providers focus on non-surgical solutions like anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications. If oral medications aren’t working well, you may benefit from an epidural steroid injection. The treatment delivers an anesthetic medication and steroid directly into your spine.

Other treatments for disc herniation include:

Physical therapy: You might be a candidate for physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that support your spine and relieve the pressure of a damaged disc on your spinal nerves.

Epidural Steroid Injections: Different approaches treat different symptom patterns. 

Spinal cord stimulation: Spinal cord stimulation uses an implantable device to deliver electrical currents of energy into your spinal nerves to disrupt pain signals from traveling to your brain. You control the stimulator with an external remote whenever you have pain.

Call DFW Spine Joint & Pain to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of a herniated disc, or book an appointment online today.