Should I get surgery for herniated disc?
Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven’t helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible.
Can you live with a herniated disc without surgery?
The good news is that the vast majority of herniated discs can be treated without surgery using manual therapy and exercise or with IDD Therapy disc treatment. It is only a small percentage of cases which go on to have surgery.
What can happen if you don’t fix a herniated disc?
If a patient has a herniated disc and does nothing to treat it, severe nerve damage and pain can result. Some of the symptoms of untreated herniated discs include: Back/Neck pain. Nerve pain in the arms/legs.
What is the success rate of herniated disc surgery?
According to one study, the success rate for a herniated lumbar disc surgery was 78.9% among 39,048 patients. This same study reported a 94% long-term success rate for patients undergoing herniated cervical disc surgery.
Can I become paralyzed from herniated disc?
With a herniated disc, the capsule cracks or breaks, and the nucleus squeezes out. This can irritate the spinal cord or nearby nerves, causing weakness and numbness in the arms or legs. A severely herniated disc can cause paralysis.
What are the risks of herniated disc surgery?
There is a slight risk of damaging the spine or nerves. All surgery has some risks, including bleeding, infection, risks from anesthesia, and death. There is a chance that the surgery won’t relieve your symptoms. And even if you get better with surgery, there is a chance you may get new symptoms in the future.
What is the recovery time for herniated disc surgery?
Most people can return to their usual activities around 4 weeks after herniated disc surgery. People who follow a rehabilitation program after surgery may experience a shorter recovery time and better mobility.
Is herniated disc permanent?
Most of the time, pain associated with a herniated disc goes away on its own over a period of weeks or months and does not cause permanent damage to the spine or nerves. A herniated disc can occur in any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back (the lumbar spine) and the neck (the cervical spine).
How long is the recovery from herniated disc surgery?
What is the best medicine for a herniated disc?
What is the best medication for a herniated disc?
| Best medications for a herniated disc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Motrin, Advil (ibuprofen) | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | Oral |
| OxyContin (oxycodone) | Opioid | Oral |
| Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) | Opioid | Oral |
| Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) | Opioid | Oral |
How serious is a herniated disk?
Herniated discs are high on the list of serious injury cases. If the disc is pressing on a nerve, it can cause restriction in movement, numbness, and severe pain, which can radiate out to wherever the nerves go.
When do I need surgery for a herniated disk?
Surgery for a herniated disk would be considered if there is nerve damage, if pain and other symptoms are so severe that they interfere with daily activities, or if non-surgical treatment is not effective. Surgery often can resolve herniated disk symptoms more quickly than other treatments.
Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?
The recovery time for an uncomplicated herniated disc with an appropriate treatment plan can be expected to be up to 8 weeks without surgery. Back pain or discomfort for longer duration must be reported to your doctor for evaluation.
What is the prognosis for a herniated disc?
Most back and leg pain will get better gradually – usually within six weeks – by taking simple measures. In fact, most people with herniated disks respond to conservative treatment within six weeks and are able to return to their normal activities. Some will continue to have back pain even after treatment.
