Herniated Disc Specialist

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc is one of the most common causes of back and neck pain. Your spine is a column of bones (vertebrae) between which are shock-absorbent discs. These discs have a soft center inside a tough outer casing. They stabilize your spine, provide flexibility, and protect the vertebrae from damage.

A herniated disc happens when part of the soft center pushes through a weak spot or tear in the outer casing. The protruding part of the disc can irritate or pinch nearby nerves where they branch off from your spinal cord. The result is pain in your neck if you have a herniated cervical disc or your lower back if you have a herniated lumbar disc.

In addition to pain, you could also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness that spreads into your arms or legs.

What causes a herniated disc?

Some herniated discs are caused by injuries. For example, a fall from a height, car accident, or sports injury. The outer casing of the disc tears, causing herniation and acute pain.

A more common cause of herniated discs is age-related wear-and-tear or degenerative disc disease. Older discs, especially those that have had a lot of wear over the years, lose their flexibility and sponginess. They dry out, get thinner and flatter, and the outer casing develops weak spots.

The disc core can poke through a weak spot, causing the outer casing to bulge outward or push right through (herniate).

You’re more likely to suffer a herniated disc if your work or leisure activities involve a lot of bending, pulling, twisting, and lifting. Smoking causes the discs to deteriorate faster, and obesity also raises your risk of developing herniated discs.

How is a herniated disc treated?

Dr. Kaufman usually begins herniated disc treatment with conservative treatments. Physical therapy, manual manipulation, and anti-inflammatory medication are often highly effective in reducing the symptoms of a herniated disc.

If your back or neck pain continues, Dr. Kaufman also offers several cutting-edge treatments that can help. These include:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Nerve block injections
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Stem cell therapy
• Radiofrequency ablation

Very few patients fail to get relief from their condition using one or more of these treatments. However, if you need surgery to remove the herniated disc, Dr. Kaufman can refer you to an experienced orthopedic or spine surgeon.

Call South Florida Interventional Orthopedics and Spine today or book an appointment online to find the best treatment for your herniated disc.