Herniated Disc Treatment

Cervical Symptoms from a Herniated Cervical Disc

cmaynard — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:46:29 -0700

A herniated cervical disc occurs when a nerve root is irritated and/or pinched as a result of a cervical disc’s inner core extruding through the outer core and coming in contact with the nerve root. Depending on the location of the cervical disc herniation and which cervical nerve is affected (most often C6, C7; sometimes C5, C8), various cervical symptoms may occur.

Thoracic Herniated Disc Surgery

cmaynard — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:37:46 -0700

Thoracic Herniated Disc Causes

cmaynard — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:15:17 -0700

Effectiveness of Sciatica Treatment, Herniated Disc Surgeries Compared in Recent Study

cmaynard — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:27:47 -0700

July 15, 2009
by: Sylvia Marten

View Sciatica Videos

Examining the effectiveness of conventional microdiscectomy and tubular disectomy surgeries for treatment of [url:996,type=|node|,content=|sciatica symptoms|] resulting from a [url:885,type=|node|,content=|herniated disc|], a recent study found and opined that the minimally invasive, tubular surgery did not result in better outcomes for patients despite such claims in the past.

[url:1584,type=|node|,content=|conventional microdiscectomy|]. The most commonly performed surgery for patients with sciatic leg pain from disc herniation, [url:5991,type=|node|,content=|microdiscectomy|] (also known as lumbar decompression surgery) entails the removal of a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material under the nerve root to relieve neural impingement and provide more room to heal.
[url:6025,type=|node|,content=|tubular discectomy|]. Introduced in 1997, tubular discectomy involves a similar procedure to the one described above, with the exception that it is performed through a tubular device. This type of herniated disc surgery has been described as producing less tissue damage and resulting in a faster rate of recovery, the latter point serving as the basis of examination for the Sciatica Micro-Endoscopic Discectomy trial.

Performed by researchers in the Netherlands, this trial involved 328 patients (ages 18 to 70 years) who:

had persistent leg pain from lumbar herniated discs for more than 8 weeks
were hospitalized in 7 general hospitals in the Netherlands from January 2005 to October 2006
were randomized to either a tubular discectomy (approximately 167 patients) or conventional microdiscectomy (161 patients).

A blind follow up was conducted a year later, with functional ability, pain and a self-view of recovery assessed via a series of questionnaires and surveys.

Findings on Microdiscectomy and Tubular Discectomy

According to the study, conventional microdiscectomy produced more favorable results than tubular discectomy after one year for:

functionality. The mean score on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), which has a 0-23 score range with higher scores indicative of worse functional status, was 3.4 for conventional microdiscectomy and 4.7 for tubular discectomy.
leg pain. On the visual analog scale, the 1-year mean difference was in favor of conventional microdiscectomy (with scores of 4.2 mm for leg pain and 3.5 mm for [url:145,type=|term|,content=|back pain|]).
self-reports of recovery. 120 of 151 patients (79%) who had conventional microdiscectomy reported good recovery a year later while 107 of 156 of patients (69%) who had tubular discectomy reported good recovery a year after the minimally-invasive procedure.

It should be known that this randomized control trial by no means knocks the validity of tubular disectomy as a minimally-invasive procedure for herniated discs; rather, it challenges certain claims like it increasing the rates of recovery.

Source: JAMA

More on This Topic

[url:1001,type=|node|,content=|Sciatic Nerve Anatomy and Sciatica Symptoms|]
[url:1016,type=|node|,content=|The Truth about Sciatica|]
[url:715,type=|node|,content=|Lumbar Herniated Disc|]
[url:884,type=|node|,content=|Treatment Options for a Lumbar Herniated Disc|]
[url:9574,type=|node|,content=|Surgery Options for a Herniated Disc|]
[url:18207,type=|node|,content=|Lower Back Pain after Surgery|]
[url:7996,type=|node|,content=|Sciatica Treatments|]

Thoracic Disc Herniation Treatment

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:26:50 -0800

Thoracic Disc Herniation Symptoms

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:26:50 -0800

Upper Back Pain from a Thoracic Herniated Disc

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:26:50 -0800

A herniated disc in the upper back can occur when the inner gelatinous material of an intervertebral disc leaks out of the inside of the disc. A thoracic herniated disc can cause upper back pain and other symptoms, such as radiating pain or numbness.

What's a Herniated Disc, Pinched Nerve, Bulging Disc...?

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:26:50 -0800

Herniated Disc Treatments vs. Degenerative Disc Disease Treatments

cmaynard — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:40:01 -0700

It’s critical that the doctor accurately diagnoses the underlying cause of back pain, neck pain, leg pain or other symptoms, since the diagnosis dictates the treatment options.

Thoracic Herniated Disc Diagnosis

cmaynard — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:22:59 -0700

Endoscopic Discectomy and Microdiscectomy for Lumbar Herniated Discs

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:19:50 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about endoscopic discectomy and microdiscectomy options for a herniated disc.

Question:Is endoscopic discectomy or microdiscectomy better for two lumbar herniated discs?

I have an MRI that shows two herniated discs in my lower back. After conservative treatments have failed, I am now considering surgery to treat my lumbar herniated discs.

When to Have Surgery for a Lumbar Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:19:39 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about determining when it is necessary to undergo surgery for a lumbar herniated disc.

Recovery from Herniated Disc Surgery

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:19:51 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about recovering from herniated disc surgery.

Question: How long will pain after herniated disc surgery last?

Surgery for Leg Numbness from a Prolapsed Disc

Ben Parr — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:17:38 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about surgery for a prolapsed disc.

Question: Is low back surgery necessary for prolapsed disc?

I have a prolapsed disc at L5/S1 that just happened. After a few steroid injections, the leg pain is mostly gone; however there is still numbness in my lower leg and progressive loss of strength in my right leg.

The Effects of a Ruptured Disc on the Body

Ben Parr — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:16:57 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about ruptured discs and their effect on the body.

Question: Ruptured discs and bladder function?

I have a ruptured disc in my low back and was wondering if this can affect the bladder function as well as sexual performance?

When Surgery is Necessary for a Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:24:34 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about when it is necessary to undergo surgery versus conservative care for a herniated disc.

Question: What level does a disc need to herniate to require surgery?

I know that on an MRI, the amount of disc herniation (L5 in my case) is measured in increments of millimeters (mm). Are there studies, opinions or facts that indicate which level (# of mm) of disc herniation warrants which treatment?

Timing Between Epidural Steroid Injections

Ben Parr — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:35:34 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about the timing between injections for back pain.

Risks Associated With Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

Ben Parr — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:35:10 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about the risks associated with cervical epidural steroid injections.

Recommendations for Treating Bulging Discs

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:44:00 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about alternatives to exercise to treat bulging discs.

Question: Alternative treatments for bulging disc?

I have had debilitating lower back pain for two years. My MRI indicates I have bulging discs. My doctor recommended exercise, but that has not helped.

What are some alternatives to keep my discs from bulging?

Fusion for Degenerative Disc Disease After Discectomy

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:43:53 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about spinal fusion after a discectomy surgery for degenerative disc disease.

Cervical Herniated Disk From an Auto Accident

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:10:11 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about relieving the painful symptoms of a cervical herniated disc due to an auto accident.

Question: Can Disc Hardening Cause Severe Neck Pain?

I have a cervical herniated disk at C5-C6. I was recently in a car accident and now the herniated disk is causing severe pain. When I had my second MRI, the doctor concluded that my disk was “hardening” and that there may not be “enough space” for the disk.

Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment Options: Surgical and Non-Surgical

Ben Parr — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:08:26 -0800

Surgery Options for a Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:22:00 -0700

Herniated Disc

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:56 -0800

Definition

A herniated disc is a condition in which the annulus fibrosus (outer portion) of the vertebral disc is torn, enabling the nucleus (inner portion) to herniate or extrude through the fibers. The herniated material can compress the nerves around the disc and create pain that can radiate through the back and sometimes down the arms (if the herniation is in the cervical spine) and legs (if the herniation is in the lumbar spine).

Lumbar Micro Endoscopic Discectomy Video

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:19:44 -0800

A lumbar micro endoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a tubular device and designed to relieve pain caused by herniated discs pressing on nerve roots. This video provides an overview of the lumbar micro endoscopic discectomy.

Microdiscectomy: Lumbar Microdecompression Spine Surgery Video

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:16:46 -0800