Between each vertebrae, you have a sponge-like disc that allows your spine to move and flex without bone-on-bone friction. These discs are composed of a tough outer layer and a soft center. A herniated disc occurs when the center breaks open or bulges out of the tough exterior.
Suffering from a herniated disc? Try the our pain assessment to find a treatment:
While the onset of a herniated disc can happen at any age, it is most common between 30 and 50 years old and occur most frequently in the lower back. Additionally, herniated discs can cause a variety of painful issues, such as pinched nerves or sciatica.
Aging is the most prevalent cause for a herniated disc, however, other common causes can include:
The first signs and symptoms of a herniated disc usually include pain in the area of affected disc, pain that radiates around to the front of your body from the affected area, and tingling or burning in the buttocks and legs or neck and arms.
Apart from pain, tingling and burning, other symptoms of a herniated disc include:
If you think you are experiencing the symptoms of a herniated disc, use our interactive condition check tool to start your diagnosis.
Treatment for a herniated disc will typically begin with more conservative, non-surgical options.
Non-surgical treatment options for a disc that has become herniated can include:
If herniated disc symptoms persist or become severe, surgical treatment may be required. Surgery options include:
Surgery could involve removing an area of the herniated disc or the disc entirely, depending on the situation and stage of herniation. Whether your herniated disc treatment is conservative or surgical, seeking help is the first step. Find the right treatment for you with our interactive treatment finder to get started.
Try our Interactive Pain Assessment to get started.
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