Disc Herniation
Disc Herniation
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner gel of an intervertebral disc leaks through a tear in its tough outer layer, potentially compressing nearby spinal nerves. This condition commonly affects both the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions.
- Cervical Herniated Disc (CHD) often leads to neck pain, shoulder discomfort, and numbness or weakness in the arms and hands.
- Lumbar Herniated Disc is a frequent cause of lower back pain and sciatica, with symptoms such as radiating leg pain, numbness, and muscle weakness in the legs or feet.
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of physical examination and imaging tests like MRI, CT, or X-rays to confirm nerve compression and rule out other conditions.
Conservative Treatment is the first approach for most patients and includes rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes epidural steroid injections.
Surgical Options are considered when conservative measures fail.
- For cervical cases, procedures like Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) or Artificial Disc Replacement may be performed.
- In lumbar cases, a Microdiscectomy is commonly used to remove the part of the disc pressing on a nerve.
Minimally invasive surgical techniques are now widely used, offering smaller incisions, quicker recovery, and reduced postoperative pain.
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