Herniated Disc

The spine consists of a series of connected bones called vertebra. A disc is a combination of strong connective tissues which hold one vertebra to the next and acts as a cushion between each vertebra pair.

Discs are made of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus.

A herniated (also called bulging or slipped) disc commonly is caused when over-contracted back muscles shorten the spine along its length and pull vertebra too close together for too long. The resulting compression results in the gel-like disc center between neighboring vertebra being squeezed out against the outer disc layer.

Over time, the outer disc layer may break down under the consistent pressure, causing an increasingly larger bulge.

Roughly 90% of disc herniations occur in the bottom two discs of the lumbar spine, just below the waist. Common symptoms include:

Weakness when trying to extend the big toe or ankle (called "foot drop")
Numbness or pain on top of the foot
Radiating pain in the buttocks and upper thigh
Loss of ankle reflex and/or weakness when pushing off with the ankle
Radiating pain in the sole and/or outside of the foot

A herniated disc can press on the nerves in the spine, causing pain, numbness, tingling or weakness of the leg called sciatica.

A disc herniation may also cause back pain, although back pain alone (without leg pain) can have many causes other than a herniated disc.

Treatment Options
In most cases, if the pain from a slipped disc is going to abate on its own, it will do so within about six weeks.

While waiting to see if the disc will heal, several conservative treatment options can help reduce the pain and the discomfort. Options include:

Physical therapy
Osteopathic / chiropractic manipulations
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Oral steroids
Epidural steroid injections
Selective nerve root blocks

While epidural steroid injections and selective nerve root blocks have been used to treat lower back pain since 1952, their effectiveness has increased significantly with the introduction of fluoroscopy, or xray imaging. Fluoroscopy lets the doctor see an injection "live" on a monitor to ensure the medicine is delivered exactly where it will provide maximum, long-lasting relief.

If the pain continues after six weeks, surgery may be considered to relieve the discomfort via a micro-decompression of the nerve root.

We Can Help
The physicians at the Northwest Surgical Specialists Pain Management Center are experts at diagnosing the need for and delivering soothing pain medication exactly where it will result in maximum relief.

If you or a loved one is suffering the effects chronic back pain, contact the Northwest Surgical Specialists Pain Management Center at 847.885.9525 to arrange a consultation.

Hoffman Estates

Northwest Surgical Specialists
3100 W. Higgins Rd., Ste. 150
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
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Foot & Ankle Care
Pain Management
Physical Therapy
Therapeutic Massage
Skin Care
Surgical Care Center

847.885.9525

Elgin

Summit Green Medical Center
431 Summit Street, Suite 102
Elgin, IL 60120
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Foot & Ankle Care
Physical Therapy

847.697.4500