In almost 90% of cases, the symptoms of a herniated disc resolve on their own.
If your leg pain and function improve in a few days or weeks, it is a sign that the disc has sufficiently healed and is no longer causing irritation to a spinal nerve.
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How long a spinal disc takes to heal
The amount of time it takes for you to recover from a herniated disc depends on the degree of nerve involvement.
The average time it takes for herniated disc symptoms to improve is between 6 and 12 weeks.
- If your only symptoms are pain in your lower back and/or leg (sciatica), you could be feeling back to normal in as early as 2 weeks as the inflammation subsides.
- The healing time is typically longer if there is numbness, tingling, and/or weakness (radiculopathy) in the leg.
As for how long it takes for a herniated disc to fully heal itself, the process is usually longer, ranging from 6 to 12 months. In some cases, the disc remains only partially healed but does not necessarily cause symptoms.
3 ways a herniated disc repairs itself
A combination of several natural healing processes contributes to the repair of a herniated disc.
The body's defense mechanism can spontaneously retract, shrink, or eliminate disc herniation.
- Spontaneous retraction. In some cases, the herniated disc material retracts into the disc, and the normal cylindrical shape of the disc is restored.,
- Re-absorption of water. The disc material contains a high concentration of water. As a defense mechanism, the body gradually absorbs some of this fluid from the herniated part of the disc, causing it to dehydrate and shrink.
- Immune response. If the inner disc material breaks away from the disc and migrates into the spinal canal (also called a sequestered disc), the body recognizes the fragment as foreign material and triggers an inflammatory response. During this process, specialized immune cells and enzymes break down and remove the disc fragment.
Your overall health and rehabilitation efforts, such as exercise and avoiding activities that worsen herniation, also play a role in how quickly your body heals the disc.
Steps you can take to promote healing in a herniated disc
As a general rule, decreasing stress on a herniated disc improves pain and promotes healing.
Engaging in therapeutic exercises specifically designed for disc pain relief and taking steps to reduce inflammation around the affected spinal nerve speed up the disc healing process.
- Exercises recommended for relieving disc pain are,:
- Anti-inflammatory medications reduce inflammation and swelling around the nerve root. However, these medications should not be used long-term due to the potential for serious side effects., Medications commonly recommended to relieve disc pain include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Topical pain medications such as diclofenac (Voltaren) gel
Before starting a new medication or exercise routine, consult with your doctor to ensure safety and prevent worsening of your symptoms.
Healing of a herniated disc after surgery
After a microdiscectomy surgery (removal of the herniated part of the disc), most individuals experience resolution of nerve pain and symptoms. However, it’s possible for the disc to herniate again if you don’t give yourself enough time to heal and regain strength.
Preventing the recurrence of herniation is the long-term goal of healing a herniated disc. Carefully adhere to the postsurgical instructions and follow the required activity restrictions as you heal.
Engaging in low-impact aerobic activities (such as walking or stationary biking), taking measures to control pain and inflammation, and quitting smoking are also recommended after surgery to foster healing and prevent recurrence.
See Postoperative Care for Lumbar Microdiscectomy Surgery
Whether a disc heals naturally or requires surgery, patience and lifestyle adjustments to support your overall health are priorities in the recovery process.
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