Slipped disc Treatment

Both conservative treatment (physical therapy – Chiropractic – yield devices) as well as the elimination of the rare pressing on the nerve root by the disc can be successfully treated with an operation. Even so-called minimally invasive surgery and microsurgery procedures have an affect such as laser disc decompression (PLDD).  Even more rare is a stiffening of adjacent vertebral bodies brought in by metal material (fusion).

MR image of a herniated disc in the cervical spine, this could be healed almost completely by physiotherapy.
MRI of a very severe herniated disc between the vertebrae bodies 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. with contusion of the spinal cord.
In most cases, approximately 90% of conservative treatment with preservation and painkillers are a success. Heat in the form of packs or baths is generally perceived as pleasant. In the course of physiotherapy, gentle exercise is necessary for muscle relief.  It comes in a course of about six weeks and if there is no significant improvement in symptoms, an expert should be consulted, that is, a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon experienced in disc surgery.

Whether operational measures are necessary in individual cases remains controversial: there are assessments that are obsolete and show more than 80 percent of spine patients and can be avoided.

Severe neurological damage, paralysis demonstrated on EMG, the so-called cauda equina syndrome requires as rapidly as possible disc surgery, also called Nucleotomy. Pain management in the operational path is mostly frustrating.

And internationally, disc surgery is the most common neurosurgical procedure. If there is no paralysis, there is no significant difference between surgery and the conservative (non-surgical) procedure, such as acupuncture or medication or physiotherapy.  This is the result of the world’s largest clinical study of 1,244 patients with intervertebral discs (Spine Patient Outcome Research (SPORT)).

As before, there are in some cases, compelling reasons for surgery.  In principle, it should always for a herniated disc, fix: bad posture; overloading and weakness of the trunk muscles (here one speaks of the “muscular corset”, etc.)

Many hospitals and some private institutions are offering so-called back schools, the burden of the spine in everyday life to minimize (proper lifting, discharge positions) muscle strengthening.  Among the many therapeutic and diagnostic approaches are the Alexander Technique, Hatha Yoga, the McKenzie approach, spiral dynamics and acupuncture.

Prevention
Since the so-called “connective tissue” is inherited as a primary cause of a herniated disc, it can be prevented only by muscle gain. The avoidance of accidents can not always be achieved.  There remains at least the possibility of a consequent muscle formation by gymnastic exercises or sports, and to avoid lifting heavy loads.

There are techniques to learn and cope with heavy loads, “their backs”, but the avoidance of such actions is not in any profession (e.g. emergency services).  Bodybuilding and fitness training can be problematic; some studios have less qualified personnel, so that the instructions are there, but are not always helpful.