3 Telltale Signs You Have a Slipped or Bulging Disc
Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. Small, round discs act like pillows between those bones, providing support and allowing you to move about with ease. When you have a slipped or bulging disc, also called a herniated disc, a fragment inside the disc has pushed out and into your spinal canal through a tear or rupture.
Once this happens, you can experience a range of bothersome symptoms. Thankfully, effective treatment is available.
Our expert team at Houston Pain Specialists, led by board-certified pain management specialist Hui Kang, MD, provides a range of treatments for back pain caused by herniated discs.
Read on to learn more about disc herniation, including telltale signs and what to do about them.
More about herniated discs
A slipped or bulging disc is often an early stage of degeneration, or gradual breakdown of tissue in or around your spine. Herniation can occur anywhere in your spine, but it’s most common in the lower back.
While most anyone can develop a herniated disc, these factors increase your risk:
- Carrying excess weight
- Frequently driving long distances
- Having a job that requires repetitive bending, lifting, or pushing
- Having a family history of herniated discs
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
3 common signs of a slipped or bulging disc
Herniated disc symptoms usually affect one side of your body, and the specifics of your symptoms depend on its location.
Three common signs include:
- Burning or sharp pain in your lower back, or potentially in your arms, buttocks, calves, or thighs
- Muscle weakness, which may cause you to stumble or struggle to hold or lift items
- Numbness or tingling that radiates from the affected area
You may find that the pain from your herniated disc worsens when you cough, sneeze, or move in particular ways.
What to do about a herniated disc
Treatment for your bulging or slipped disc depends on the severity and location of your symptoms, as well as your overall health.
In many cases, treatment starts with modifying your activities and taking over-the-counter pain medication until your symptoms resolve. Most symptoms resolve on their own within six months.
For especially bothersome or intense symptoms and symptoms that won’t let up through conservative measures, we may recommend epidural steroid injections. Physical therapy and recommended exercises may also help.
Surgery for a herniated disc is reserved for the most severe and long-lasting cases. If your symptoms continue or worsen beyond six weeks and you’re dealing with complications, like walking difficulties or loss of bladder or bowel control, surgery to remove the affected disc can help.
To learn more about a slipped or bulging disc or to get the care you need, contact our Houston, Texas, office today to schedule an appointment.