Is My Disc Herniated?

 Ongoing pain and numbness are two hallmark signs of a herniated disc. Fortunately, it’s a treatable condition when you have the renowned minimally invasive surgery specialists at Advanced Neurosurgery in your corner. 

Our team of experienced surgeons offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment care in Carson City and Reno, Nevada, making it easy to understand the problem and get the appropriate treatment. 

Below we explain exactly what a herniated disc is and how you can recognize its symptoms.

Understanding a herniated disc

A herniated disc happens when the annulus — the outer shell of a spinal disc — tears or cracks, allowing the soft inside (the nucleus) to push into the spinal canal. 

This can irritate or pressure the nearby spinal nerves, causing severe pain, numbness, or even muscle weakness. 

The lower spine is the most common place for herniated discs. The two main spots where they happen are the area between the fourth (L4) and fifth (L5) lumbar vertebrae in the lower back and the area between L5 and the sacrum (S1). 

The upper body (the cervical spine in the neck area) is the second-most common area for herniated discs, but they’re rare in the middle of the spine.

Although trauma can lead to disc herniation, it’s uncommon. In most cases, it’s due to degenerative disc disease, a condition that develops with age as spinal discs lose moisture and elasticity.

Is your pain a herniated disc?

Herniated disc symptoms can vary with location. 

Lower back

In the lower back, you may experience sharp pain shooting down your buttocks and legs. Occasional numbness and muscle weakness are also fairly common. 

Neck area

In the neck, a herniated disc can cause similar symptoms, but they may feel a bit different as the pain can travel into your shoulder and down your arm. In some cases, numbness and weakness may even reach into your hands. 

Regardless of the location, symptoms often worsen with movement, like standing, coughing, or sneezing. If left untreated, severe cases can even lead to problems with bladder control.

Herniated disc diagnosis and treatment 

Our team at Advanced Neurosurgery performs a comprehensive physical exam to assess your spine’s mobility, muscle strength, and any areas of numbness. 

We typically perform diagnostic tests, such as MRIs or CT scans, to pinpoint the location and severity of the herniated disc. Some patients may additionally need nerve and muscle testing to help us determine the specific nerve root involved.

Once diagnosed, we discuss a comprehensive treatment plan that can get you back to normal as fast as possible. We often begin with conservative treatments, such as rest, pain management, and physical therapy. For more severe cases, epidural steroid injections can provide lasting relief by reducing inflammation around the affected nerve.

If conservative solutions aren’t effective, our team may recommend an advanced approach, such as herniated disc decompression surgery. Depending on your specific situation, our surgeons can perform a microdiscectomy, laminectomy, laminotomy, and potentially, spinal fusion to remove the pressure on the spinal nerves and restore healthy function.

Suspect a herniated disc? We can help

If you suspect a herniated disc, don’t wait to get pain relief. Call Advanced Neurosurgery at 775-312-8120 or request your appointment today.