Slipped intervertebral discs are a common cause of back pain and limb pain. Herniation is often a result of trauma sustained during a heavy lifting event, a road traffic accident or sporting injury. Symptoms are due to the impingement of nerves in the vicinity of the disc. There are a number of ways through which this can be dealt with. In this article, we will look at some of the modes of managing herniated disc pain relief Conroe patients will find beneficial.
In general the modalities are divided into non-surgical and surgical. The choice of which method to use is dependent on a number of factors that include the severity of the condition, response to initial management and the risks involved. The starting point is usually the used of analgesic agents. NSAIDs such as diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen may be prescribed for a couple of days to relieve the pain as one waits for the symptoms to resolve spontaneously.
Pain that is unresponsive to over the counter pain relievers should alert you on the need to see a specialist. Traction is one of the most commonly used conservative treatments. In this technique, a gentle pulling force is applied along the spine with the aim of restoring its shape and length. If successful, the intervertebral space expands to accommodate the disc and this in turn helps relieve the pressure on the structures that were compressed.
There are a number of other passive physical exercises that work in the same way as traction. These include electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, hot and cold therapies and deep tissue massage. The benefits of these techniques are two fold; prevention of further injury and restoration of normal spinal anatomy. It is common for two or more therapies to be used at the same time.
Active physical exercises also have a role to play. They are meant to help in a number of areas that include the maintenance of posture, strength, core stability and joint movement. It is important that the therapist and the patient work together to come up with a schedule that addresses all these aspects.
Traction is said to have very high success rates. There are only a few cases in which it is deemed unsuitable. For instance, when offered to persons with pelvic fractures, it has the potential to aggravate the injuries and should therefore be avoided. It should also not be attempted in persons with large abdominal tumors or aneurysm affecting major arteries (such as the aorta), those with metallic implants and those with severe osteoporosis. In all these cases, there is a high risk of worsening the pathologies.
Surgery is considered when the conservative options fail to yield results. There are different types of surgeries that may be performed depending on the specific situation. Corpectomy is the surgical removal of the vertebral body together with the adjacent disc. Discectomy involves removal of the disc but leaving the vertebral body intact. Other types include laminectomy, foraminectomy and osteophyte removal.
Surgery has a number of risks and possible complications that one should be aware of. Bleeding and infections are the commonest just as applies to any other form of surgery. Nerve injuries of varying degrees have been reported and these tend to even worsen the symptoms at times. In the remote postoperative period, the most feared complication is spine instability that is caused by removal of some skeletal elements. Corrective surgery is often required in this case.
In general the modalities are divided into non-surgical and surgical. The choice of which method to use is dependent on a number of factors that include the severity of the condition, response to initial management and the risks involved. The starting point is usually the used of analgesic agents. NSAIDs such as diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen may be prescribed for a couple of days to relieve the pain as one waits for the symptoms to resolve spontaneously.
Pain that is unresponsive to over the counter pain relievers should alert you on the need to see a specialist. Traction is one of the most commonly used conservative treatments. In this technique, a gentle pulling force is applied along the spine with the aim of restoring its shape and length. If successful, the intervertebral space expands to accommodate the disc and this in turn helps relieve the pressure on the structures that were compressed.
There are a number of other passive physical exercises that work in the same way as traction. These include electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, hot and cold therapies and deep tissue massage. The benefits of these techniques are two fold; prevention of further injury and restoration of normal spinal anatomy. It is common for two or more therapies to be used at the same time.
Active physical exercises also have a role to play. They are meant to help in a number of areas that include the maintenance of posture, strength, core stability and joint movement. It is important that the therapist and the patient work together to come up with a schedule that addresses all these aspects.
Traction is said to have very high success rates. There are only a few cases in which it is deemed unsuitable. For instance, when offered to persons with pelvic fractures, it has the potential to aggravate the injuries and should therefore be avoided. It should also not be attempted in persons with large abdominal tumors or aneurysm affecting major arteries (such as the aorta), those with metallic implants and those with severe osteoporosis. In all these cases, there is a high risk of worsening the pathologies.
Surgery is considered when the conservative options fail to yield results. There are different types of surgeries that may be performed depending on the specific situation. Corpectomy is the surgical removal of the vertebral body together with the adjacent disc. Discectomy involves removal of the disc but leaving the vertebral body intact. Other types include laminectomy, foraminectomy and osteophyte removal.
Surgery has a number of risks and possible complications that one should be aware of. Bleeding and infections are the commonest just as applies to any other form of surgery. Nerve injuries of varying degrees have been reported and these tend to even worsen the symptoms at times. In the remote postoperative period, the most feared complication is spine instability that is caused by removal of some skeletal elements. Corrective surgery is often required in this case.
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If you're seeking herniated disc pain relief Conroe chiropractor is the right person to turn to. Make an appointment for a therapy session today through http://www.lordexspineinstituteofconroe.com.