Inter-vertebral discs are the main shock absorbers of the spinal column. The discs are surrounded by a synovial fluid. When the back is injured by blunt trauma the disc may be displaced from its position. This will more often than not cause impingement of nerves found next to the area of trauma. The patients will experience chronic back pain that also affects the lower limbs. There are a number of things on herniated disc pain relief Conroe patients need to know if suffering from the condition.
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will first have to take your clinical history. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you have suffered from trauma or have been involved in strenuous physical activity. The next thing is for the doctor to examine you to establish the extent of the problem. Affected individuals typically complain of low back pain that radiates to the limbs and is exacerbated by walking.
Investigations of various type are also needed to aid the physician. These include both blood tests and radiological images. The exact tests that are needed will of course be determined by what comes out from your clinical history and physical examination. The most important radiological images here are the MRI (magnetic resonance image) and the CT scan. These images help in identifying the discs that have been displaced and whether or not surrounding tissues are affected.
Interventions that are used in managing this condition fall into one of two categories; the conservative group and the surgical group. Conservative treatments are those in which the condition is managed without opening up the affected inter-vertebral joint. Traction and analgesic drugs (particularly the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the two most commonly used modalities. Others include the alternative medicine options such as acupressure, acupuncture and chiropractic among others.
Applying traction is a fairly simple procedure. It involves the application of a gentle, steady pulling force on the pelvis and the lower limbs. This force is transmitted to the spine as the patient lies on a couch. Adjacent vertebral bodies are pulled away from each other to create a space for the displaced disc to fall back in position. Several sessions over a couple of weeks are needed.
Traction is generally safe. To minimize the risk of injuring the spinal cord, the force needed for the traction has to be carefully calculated. There are some patients in whom the procedure is considered inappropriate or dangerous and should be postponed to a later date or alternatives should be used. Such situations include, for instance, pregnancy, a history of a fracture to one or both limbs and bones that have been weakened by osteoporosis.
Surgical intervention will be considered when the conservative techniques fail to relive the pain. The surgical options are many and depend on the part of the vertebral body that is involved in the compression. Corpectomy, osteophyte removal and laminectomy are just but a few examples. Several risks are associated with the operations. They include nerve injury, spinal injury, blood loss and infections among others.
Disc herniation pain continues to be a leading cause of absenteeism from work and school. Early diagnosis is important for interventions to be undertaken. It is important that one discusses the available options with their doctor before the final decision is arrived at.
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will first have to take your clinical history. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you have suffered from trauma or have been involved in strenuous physical activity. The next thing is for the doctor to examine you to establish the extent of the problem. Affected individuals typically complain of low back pain that radiates to the limbs and is exacerbated by walking.
Investigations of various type are also needed to aid the physician. These include both blood tests and radiological images. The exact tests that are needed will of course be determined by what comes out from your clinical history and physical examination. The most important radiological images here are the MRI (magnetic resonance image) and the CT scan. These images help in identifying the discs that have been displaced and whether or not surrounding tissues are affected.
Interventions that are used in managing this condition fall into one of two categories; the conservative group and the surgical group. Conservative treatments are those in which the condition is managed without opening up the affected inter-vertebral joint. Traction and analgesic drugs (particularly the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the two most commonly used modalities. Others include the alternative medicine options such as acupressure, acupuncture and chiropractic among others.
Applying traction is a fairly simple procedure. It involves the application of a gentle, steady pulling force on the pelvis and the lower limbs. This force is transmitted to the spine as the patient lies on a couch. Adjacent vertebral bodies are pulled away from each other to create a space for the displaced disc to fall back in position. Several sessions over a couple of weeks are needed.
Traction is generally safe. To minimize the risk of injuring the spinal cord, the force needed for the traction has to be carefully calculated. There are some patients in whom the procedure is considered inappropriate or dangerous and should be postponed to a later date or alternatives should be used. Such situations include, for instance, pregnancy, a history of a fracture to one or both limbs and bones that have been weakened by osteoporosis.
Surgical intervention will be considered when the conservative techniques fail to relive the pain. The surgical options are many and depend on the part of the vertebral body that is involved in the compression. Corpectomy, osteophyte removal and laminectomy are just but a few examples. Several risks are associated with the operations. They include nerve injury, spinal injury, blood loss and infections among others.
Disc herniation pain continues to be a leading cause of absenteeism from work and school. Early diagnosis is important for interventions to be undertaken. It is important that one discusses the available options with their doctor before the final decision is arrived at.
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