Herniated Disc Treatment in Portland, OR
A herniated disc occurs when the inner portion of a spinal disc pushes through a tear or rupture in the outer layer, pressing on nearby nerves. This condition is an early stage of disc degeneration and can cause significant discomfort. When a disc herniates, its inner material may leak, leading to back pain and nerve symptoms that radiate down the leg.
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Symptoms of Herniated Disc
Slipped disc or herniated disc can occur in any part of your spine, from your neck to your lower back. It most commonly occurs in the lumbar area. A slipped disc can exert too much pressure on the spinal nerves and muscles around the disc.
Symptoms of a slipped disc can be:
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Overactive reflexes
- Sensory, leg numbness
- Pins, and needles-like sharp, uncomfortable tingling sensation
- Foot numbness
- Stiff neck
Symptoms can differ from person to person. Consult a specialist in Portland for a slipped disc if you experience numbness or tingling sensation affecting your ability to control your muscles.
Types of herniated disc
There are four stages in the herniation of disc:
- Disc protrusion
- Prolapsed disc, also referred to as incomplete herniation
- Disc extrusion
- Sequestered disc termed as complete herniations
Pain due to herniation may be accompanied by radiculopathy, which means a neurological deficit.
Causes of herniated disc
A slipped disc generally happens when the outer ring of the disc becomes weak or gets torn due to trauma, allowing the inner portion to slip out. This can happen with age. Certain motions like twisting or turning to lift an object may also cause a slipped disc. Lifting heavy objects can exert pressure on the lower back, leading to a slipped disc. A physically demanding job requiring a lot of lifting, leave you at a higher risk for slipped discs.
A slipped disc occurs due to disc degeneration.
In many cases lifting heavy objects can also lead to a herniated disc.
Long-term problems due to ignoring Slipped Disc
A severe slipped disc may cause permanent nerve damage if left untreated. Nerve impulses to the cauda equina nerves may be cut off in your lower back and legs in sporadic cases, leading to the loss of bowel or bladder control.
Saddle anesthesia may be another long-term complication, where the slipped disc compresses nerves leading to the loss of sensation in the inner thighs, the back of your legs, and around the rectum.
If you feel you are unable to perform the activities you once could, You must seek immediate medical attention.
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