Idaho Law Blog
A herniated disc (also referred to as a slipped disc) can occur in people of any age, although most people who receive herniated discs are in their 30’s and 40s’s. A herniated disc can be caused from daily wear and tear, however, it is also a common injury caused in automobile accidents.
The top 3 symptoms of a herniated disc are (1) arm and leg pain, (2) numbness and tingling; and (3) weakness.
The average person’s spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae. The spine is divided into the upper spine (cervical), middle spine (thoracic) and lower spine (lumbar). Generally, the upper spine consists of seven vertebrae. The middle spine consist of twelve vertebrae and the lower spine consists of five vertebrae. The remaining vertebrae are in sacrum (located below the lumbar) and coccyx (located below the sacrum). Each vertebrae in the upper, middle and lower spine is cushioned by a disc. Each disc consists of a soft inner portion and a tough outer portion. A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner portion protrudes out of the outer portion. Most herniated discs occur in the lower spine, but they can also occur in the upper spine and even in the middle spine. Herniated discs can be detected using various medical tests, including MRI’s, X-Rays, CT Scans and Myelograms.
Treatment for a herniated disc includes invasive and non-invasive procedures. Some treatments include physical therapy, medication injections and surgery. The symptoms of most herniated discs can be resolved by non-invasive procedures such as physical therapy, medication and/or injections. For some herniated discs, a medical provider will prescribe pain relievers, anti-inflammatories or even steroids. On average, a person with a herniated disc will be symptom free after six weeks of physical therapy or a combination of treatments. However, in severe situations, surgery may be required. Surgery for a herniated disc can include a fusions, disc replacement and discectomies. Recovery from surgery to repair a herniated disc varies between patients. Unfortunately, sometimes even undergoing surgery will not eliminate all symptoms of a herniated disc.