Herniated nucleus pulposus (slipped disk)

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Skeletal spine

Sciatic nerve

Herniated nucleus pulposis

Herniated disk repair

Lumbar spinal surgery - series

Herniated nucleus pulposus (slipped disk)

Alternative Names:

Lumbar radiculopathy; Cervical radiculopathy; Herniated intervertebral disk; Prolapsed intervertebral disk; Slipped disk; Ruptured disk
Treatment:

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The mainstay of treatment for herniated disks is an initial period of rest with pain and anti-inflammatory medications, followed by physical therapy. Under this regimen, over 95% of people will recover and return to their normal activities. A small percentage of people do need to go on and have further treatment which may include steroid injections or surgery.

MEDICATIONS

For people with an acute herniated disk caused by some sort of trauma (like a car accident or lifting a very heavy object) and immediately followed by severe pain in the back and leg, narcotic pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) will be prescribed.

If there is also an element of back spasm, anti-spasm drugs, also called muscle relaxants, are usually given. On rare occasions, steroids may be administered either by pill or directly into the blood with an intervenous line (IV).

Long-term pain control is usually limited to NSAIDs, but occasionally narcotics are used as well (if the pain does not respond to NSAIDs).

For people unable to do physical therapy because of pain, steroid injections into the back in the area of the herniation can be very helpful in controlling pain for several months. This allows a vigorous therapy program to be initiated which will usually control pain for the long-term.

LIFESTYE MODIFICATIONS

Any extra weight being carried by an individual, especially weight up front in the abdomen, will worsen any back pain syndrome. A program of diet and exercise is crucial to improving back pain in overweight patients.

Physical therapy is another crucial treatment for nearly everyone with lumbar disk disease. Therapists will instruct you how to properly lift, dress, walk, and perform other activities.

They will also work on strengthening the muscles of the abdomen and lower back to help support the spine. Flexibility of the spine and legs is the third aspect of most therapy programs.

Some practitioners recommend the use of back braces to help support the spine. However, overuse of these devices can weaken the abdominal and back muscles leading to a worsening of the problem. Weight belts can be helpful in preventing injuries in those whose work requires lifting of heavy objects.