Herniated Disc North West Palm Beach County Port St. Lucie Ft Fort Pierce Vero Beach US Virgin Islands Jupiter Island Florida FL

As a disc degenerates, the soft inner gel in the disc can leak back into the spinal canal. This is known as disc herniation, or herniated disc. Once inside the spinal canal, the herniated disc material then puts pressure on the nerve, causing pain to radiate down the nerve leading to sciatica or leg pain (from a lumbar herniated disc) or arm pain (from a cervical herniated disc).

Lumbar Herniated Disc

Lumbar Herniated disc (HNP) can lead to what is commonly called “sciatica”. The lumbar spine consists of the bone, “vertebrae,” and in between the vertebrae are disc. The discs can be thought of as shock absorbers or cushions between the vertebrae. Typically the herniated disc irritates the sciatic nerve. Sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that originated in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the sciatic nerve in the back of the leg.

Sciatica or HNP can be acute (short term) lasting a few weeks, or chronic (long term) persisting for more than 3 months. It is important to understand that most HNP will resolve itself within a few weeks or months and rarely cause permanent nerve damage. In most cases if a patients low back and or leg pain is going to get better it will do so within six weeks.

Several of the most common nonsurgical treatments for herniated disc include:

Physical Therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Oral Steroids
Epidural steroid injection

Lumbar Herniated Disc Surgery

If the pain and other symptoms continue after six weeks, and if the pain is sever, it is reasonable to consider microdiscectomy surgery. Surgery may be recommended to alleviate the pain from the herniated disc material. The entire disc is not removed, but the part that is damaged is removed.

Lumbar Microdiscectomy

Cervical Herniated Disc

Arm pain from a cervical herniated disc is one of the more common cervical spine conditions treated by spine specialists. It usually develops in the 30 – 50 year old age group. Although a cervical herniated disc may originate from some sort of trauma or injury to the cervical spine, the symptoms, including arm pain, commonly start spontaneously. Along with the arm pain, numbness and tingling can be present down the arm and into the fingertips. Muscle weakness may also be present due to a cervical herniated disc.

Since there is not a lot of disc material between the vertebral bodies in the cervical spine the discs are usually not very large. However, the space available for the nerves is also not that great, which means that even a small cervical disc herniation may impinge on the nerve and cause significant pain. The arm pain is usually most severe as the nerve first becomes pinched.

Nonsurgical treatments for Cervical Herniated Disc

Physical Therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Cervical Traction
Bracing
Epidural steroid injections
Activity modification

Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery

Most episodes of arm pain will resolve over a period of weeks to months. However, if the pain lasts longer than 6 to 12 weeks, or if the pain and disability is severe, spine surgery may be a reasonable option. It is very important to speak to your doctor about your surgical options.

Anterior cervical discectomy and spine fusion
Anterior discectomy without spine fusion
Posterior cervical discectomy

Thoracic Herniated Disc

A thoracic herniated disc can cause upper back pain and other symptoms, such as radiating pain or numbness. Specific symptoms of a thoracic herniated disc are usually different depending on where the disc herniates. Patients commonly feel a band of pain that goes around the front of the chest or abdominal area. A lower thoracic disc herniation can cause pain in the groin or lower limbs. Doctors typically classify thoracic herniated discs as being caused by:

Degenerative Disc Disease. This is the gradual wear and tear on the disc over time.
Trauma to the upper back. This is a traumatic event that has taken place that caused an abrupt onset of symptoms. Any injury that causes a high degree of sudden force such as a car accident or sudden fall on the discs could lead to a thoracic herniated disc.

Nonsurgical treatments for Thoracic Herniated Disc:

Rest/Activity modification
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Epidural Steroid Injection
Physical Therapy

Thoracic Herniated Disc Surgery

Thoracic herniated disc surgery is indicated when a herniated disc leads to myelopathy (spinal cord dysfunction), progressive neurological deficits, or intolerable pain. Typically, these symptoms will occur if there is an acute traumatic herniated disc with myelopathy. Some possible surgical options are:

Costotransversectomy
Transthoracic Decompression
Video Assisted Thoracoscopy Surgery (VATS)
Fusion

Back Conditions

Dr. Lenard can help reduce or eliminate the back pain caused by these back conditions:

Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve) Treatment

Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical Radiculopathy is the clinical term for a condition which irritates the nerve in the cervical spine (neck). It is commonly called “pinched nerve” and it is caused by injury to the root of a spinal nerve. The discs between the bones of the spine bulge and lose height as we age, causing a nerve to become “pinched” by the bones. This results in sharp pain, or “pins and needles” sensation, or even numbness in the neck, shoulder, and arms. Read More

Spinal Cord Compression

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy is a condition where the spinal canal in the neck narrows, compressing the spinal cord and causing pain and stiffness in the neck, loss of balance, and a tingling sensation or numbness. CSM is usually caused by wear and tear from age. It is most common in people over the age of 50, although it can occur earlier if they have had an injury to the spine at a young age. Surgery is advised in many cases of CSM because nonsurgical treatments cannot reverse the compression most of the time. Read More

Herniated Disc

The flexible cartilage discs between the bones of the spinal column are filled with a soft gel that cushions the bones and allows the spine to twist and bend. Degeneration or damage to a disc can cause this gel to leak into the spinal canal and press against the nerve, causing pain. Read More

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis & Cervical Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis is a condition caused by narrowing of the spinal canal, which holds the spinal cord and nerve roots. Spinal stenosis in the lower back is called lumbar spinal stenosis and cause aching pain in the back, which can radiate into the buttocks, legs, and even feet. Stenosis in the neck is called cervical stenosis and causes numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg, foot, arm, or hand, and can also cause balance problems. Spinal stenosis is most commonly a result of advanced age, although some people can be born with it. Read More

Spondylolysis & Spondylolisthesis

Stress Fracture in the Spinal Column

A Spondylolysis is a stress fracture in one of the bones in the spinal column. It is the most common cause of lower back pain in adolescent athletes. Spondylolisthesis is when the fractured bone cannot maintain its position and begins to slip out of place, possibly slipping far enough to put pressure on the spinal nerves. Read More

Scoliosis

Lateral Curve of the Spine

A lateral (sideways) curve in the normally straight vertical spine is referred to as scoliosis. Small curves do not cause any problems, but larger ones often cause discomfort and pain. Scoliosis can occur at any age and is more common in females than males. Read More

Spinal Fracture

Medical Term Here

A Spinal Fracture is a break in one or more of the bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine. Depending on the extent of the injury, the ligaments that surround the vertebrae and the cartilage discs between may be torn as well. A spinal fracture can be anything from a single break to bones shattered into many pieces. Although severe fractures typically result from extreme trauma to the back, a spine weakened from osteoporosis (low bone density) can fracture as a result of less intense activity, such as heavy lifting or twisting too quickly. Read More

Degenerative Disc Disease

Pain Caused by a Damaged Disc

Degenerative Disc Disease, despite its name, is not exactly a disease. It is a condition which causes pain from damage to one of the discs between the bones of the spine. It most often occurs in the lower back and neck. Read More

Failed Prior Surgeries

Regardless of your past results, Dr. Lenard may be able to help. What many surgeons have been unable to resolve, Dr. Lenard can fix. Just because you have been told that you cannot be helped, does not make it so. Read More

Herniated Disc

Lumbar Herniated Disc

Lumbar Herniated Disc Surgery

Cervical Herniated Disc

Nonsurgical treatments for Cervical Herniated Disc

Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery

Thoracic Herniated Disc

Nonsurgical treatments for Thoracic Herniated Disc:

Thoracic Herniated Disc Surgery

Back Conditions

Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve) Treatment

Cervical Radiculopathy

Spinal Cord Compression

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Herniated Disc

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis & Cervical Stenosis

Spondylolysis & Spondylolisthesis

Stress Fracture in the Spinal Column

Scoliosis

Lateral Curve of the Spine

Spinal Fracture

Medical Term Here

Degenerative Disc Disease

Pain Caused by a Damaged Disc

Failed Prior Surgeries

Contact Dr. Alexander Lenard

Call 561-836-7248