SLIP DISC TREATMENT

What is Slip disc?

A slip disc, also known as a herniated disc or slipped disk, occurs when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc protrudes through the tough outer layer. This condition often results in cervical pain, especially in the neck and back regions. The treatment of slip discs involves various methods to alleviate pain and restore functionality.

What are Symptoms?

The symptoms of a slipped disc may include cervical pain, back pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and muscle weakness. Individuals with sports injuries are particularly susceptible to developing slip disc problems, especially if they engage in activities that exert pressure on the spine.

How Do You Know You Have a Slip Disc?

If you experience persistent back pain, neck pain, or radiating pain in your limbs, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional. Diagnostic tests, including MRI scans and X-rays, can confirm the presence of a Slip disc.

Diagnosis of Slip Disc:

MRI scans are the most effective method for diagnosing slip discs as they provide detailed images of the spinal structures. Additionally, X-rays may be used to assess any spinal abnormalities.

Medical history assessment: Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms, medical history, and any recent injuries or activities that may have contributed to your condition.

Physical examination: A physical examination may involve testing your reflexes, muscle strength, and range of motion to assess nerve function and pinpoint areas of discomfort.

Diagnostic tests: Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or CT (computed tomography) scans may be ordered to visualize the spinal structures and identify the location and extent of the disc herniation.

How Does a Slip Disc Work?

The spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, absorbing shock and allowing for flexibility and movement of the spine. When a disc herniates, the inner gel-like material pushes through a tear or weak spot in the outer layer, causing compression of nearby nerves. A slip disc can impinge on nearby nerve roots, causing pain and discomfort. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in slip disc therapy, focusing on strengthening the core muscles and improving spinal alignment.

Treatment of Slip Disc:

1. Physical therapy-
In the past, medical advice for herniated discs was to rest in bed for one to two weeks. Medical doctors have since shifted their stance, agreeing that staying active is far more essential to your body’s ability to recover. While some rest is acceptable and necessary, you should try to be active as much as possible and alleviate pressure on the affected sciatica.

Knowing how much activity is enough or too much on your own can be confusing. A physical therapist (PT) can help you understand how much you should be exercising. They will:

• Track your activity levels.
• Provide muscle-strengthening exercises.
• Increase your flexibility.
• Help you recover without aggravating your injury.

2. Medications
   They may recommend OTC medications to help with soreness after PT or other herniated disc treatments if the pain is mild or manageable. Some OTC medications for relieving herniated disc pain include:
   
   -Acetaminophen,
   -Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

-Anticonvulsants
-Antidepressants
-Muscle relaxants
-opioids
-steroids

Selective Nerve Root Blocks :

A selective nerve root block (SNRB) is a minimally invasive injection that interrupts pain signals between your spinal nerves and brain. Nerve root block injections contain a local anesthetic and sometimes a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. To perform an SNRB, doctors inject the steroid-anesthetic mixture around or beside the neural sheath of the nerve root. A neural sheath is the connective tissue around each nerve, while a nerve root is the point where each nerve exits the spine. Doctors use fluoroscopy — X-ray guidance — and a contrast dye to ensure they inject the SNRB into the desired.

Nucleoplsty –

Nucleoplsty unlike nerve root blocks typically do include a local anesthetic into the epidural space that separates your spinal column from the protective dura matter layer. Nucleoplasty can also be used to target painful nerve roots. The procedure is minimally invasive and uses fluoroscopic guidance. Like SNRBs, doctors can perform nucleoplasty for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.  Success rates for nucleoplasty in treating disc herniations are between 76% and 88%.  Results can provide short-term or in some patients long-term relief.

Endoscopic Foraminoplasty

This is one of the least invasive spine surgeries for a herniated disc. An endoscopic laminoplasty can relieve herniated disc pain by freeing the nerves inside your foramen — the hollow bony tunnel in which your spinal cord exits out to your arms in the neck or legs in the lower back. If your herniated disc puts significant pressure on the traversing or exiting nerve in the foramen, your doctor may recommend an endoscopic foraminoplasty. Most patients can return to work within one to two weeks of an endoscopic foraminoplasty.

Bicuoplasty

Bicuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat chronic discogenic pain (pain originating from a damaged intervertebral disc). It involves the use of radiofrequency energy to heat and modulate the nerves within the disc.

Two needles are inserted into the affected disc under imaging guidance during the procedure. Radiofrequency energy is then applied through these needles to target the annulus (outer ring) of the disc, reducing pain by disrupting pain signals. This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can go home the same day. It has a relatively quick recovery time and is designed to relieve pain and improve function without major surgery.

Ozone Discectomy: This is a technique that uses a mixture of oxygen and ozone gas to treat herniated discs. The ozone is believed to reduce the size of the herniation and decrease inflammation. Under imaging guidance, a needle is inserted into the herniated disc, and a mixture of ozone and oxygen is injected. The ozone helps to shrink the disc material, reducing pressure on the spinal nerves. This minimally invasive procedure is generally safe, with a low risk of complications. It often results in significant pain relief and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Full Endoscopic Spine Fixation: This is a type of minimally invasive surgery used to stabilize the spine and address issues such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and other degenerative spine conditions. Using small incisions and endoscopic instruments, the surgeon can access the spine to remove the herniated disc material, decompress the nerves, and stabilize the spine with screws and rods if necessary. This approach minimizes tissue damage, reduces blood loss, and leads to faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgery. It also decreases the risk of postoperative complications and promotes a quicker return to normal activities.

Surgery: In cases of severe or persistent symptoms that do not respond to conservative treatments, surgical intervention such as discectomy or spinal fusion may be recommended to remove the herniated disc and stabilize the spine.

Post-Recovery Care for Slip Disc:

After undergoing Slip disc treatment, it’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle and engage in regular exercise to prevent recurrence. Sports injury centers offer specialized programs to aid in the rehabilitation and prevention of slip discs.

Gradual return to physical activity: Gradually reintroduce activities and exercises recommended by your healthcare provider to avoid exacerbating symptoms.
Proper posture and body mechanics: Practice good posture and body mechanics to reduce strain on the spine and prevent further injury.
Weight management: Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the spine and decrease the risk of recurrence.
Regular exercise: Engage in low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, or yoga to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine and improve overall flexibility and mobility.

So, if you’ve been struggling with slip disc pain, there’s no need to keep searching for a specialist near you. Dr. Manohar Kanwaria is dedicated to providing top-notch care and helping you find relief from your Slip disc Problems.

FAQs:

Can a Slip disc heal on its own?
In some cases, mild disc herniations may resolve with rest and conservative treatments. However, severe or persistent symptoms may require medical intervention.

How long does it take to recover from a Slip disc?
Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the herniation and the effectiveness of treatment. It may take weeks to months to experience significant improvement in symptoms.

Can a Slip disc recur?
While proper treatment and post-recovery care can help prevent recurrence, there is always a risk of disc herniation, especially with factors such as aging, poor posture, or repetitive strain on the spine.

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