Slipped intervertebral discs are a common cause of back pain and limb pain. Herniation is often a result of trauma sustained during a heavy lifting event, a road traffic accident or sporting injury. Symptoms are due to the impingement of nerves in the vicinity of the disc. There are a number of ways through which this can be dealt with. In this article, we will look at some of the modes of managing herniated disc pain relief Conroe patients will find beneficial.
The modalities of treatment are divided into two major categories namely the conservative and the invasive (or surgical options). There are a number of factors that are considered when choosing the mode of treatment. They include the risks that are involved, the severity of the condition and the adequacy of the response to the initial interventions. In most cases, the starting point is usually analgesic drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen.
Pain that is unresponsive to over the counter pain relievers should alert you on the need to see a specialist. Traction is one of the most commonly used conservative treatments. In this technique, a gentle pulling force is applied along the spine with the aim of restoring its shape and length. If successful, the intervertebral space expands to accommodate the disc and this in turn helps relieve the pressure on the structures that were compressed.
There are a number of other passive physical exercises that work in the same way as traction. These include electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, hot and cold therapies and deep tissue massage. The benefits of these techniques are two fold; prevention of further injury and restoration of normal spinal anatomy. It is common for two or more therapies to be used at the same time.
Active physical exercises should be incorporated into the rehabilitation program. The importance of this is to make the patient take up an active role in their treatment. The exercises help in areas such as the restoration of joint movement, core stability, strength and posture.
Traction is successful in a majority of patients. However, it is not considered suitable in some groups of patients. Those who have preexisting pelvic or limb fractures should not be given this treatment (until the injuries have healed). This is because the maneuvers involved tend to aggravate such injuries. It should also be avoided in persons that have aortic aneurysms (abdominal), metallic implants and those with huge abdominal tumors.
Surgery is a last resort. Different types of operations can be performed depending on the extent of the problem. Each is named depending on the skeletal element that is removed. In discectomy, only the intervertebral disc is removed. In corpectomy, on the other hand, the vertebral body and the disc are removed at the same time. Other surgeries include laminectomy, osteophyte removal and foraminectomy.
Surgery carries certain risks that one needs to be aware of being signing up for it. The general complications include bleeding and infections at the surgical site. Nerve injury is one of the more specific complications that may be seen in the immediate post-operative period. In the intermediate and remote post-operative period the biggest concern appears to be spinal stability caused by the removal of supportive structures.
The modalities of treatment are divided into two major categories namely the conservative and the invasive (or surgical options). There are a number of factors that are considered when choosing the mode of treatment. They include the risks that are involved, the severity of the condition and the adequacy of the response to the initial interventions. In most cases, the starting point is usually analgesic drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen.
Pain that is unresponsive to over the counter pain relievers should alert you on the need to see a specialist. Traction is one of the most commonly used conservative treatments. In this technique, a gentle pulling force is applied along the spine with the aim of restoring its shape and length. If successful, the intervertebral space expands to accommodate the disc and this in turn helps relieve the pressure on the structures that were compressed.
There are a number of other passive physical exercises that work in the same way as traction. These include electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, hot and cold therapies and deep tissue massage. The benefits of these techniques are two fold; prevention of further injury and restoration of normal spinal anatomy. It is common for two or more therapies to be used at the same time.
Active physical exercises should be incorporated into the rehabilitation program. The importance of this is to make the patient take up an active role in their treatment. The exercises help in areas such as the restoration of joint movement, core stability, strength and posture.
Traction is successful in a majority of patients. However, it is not considered suitable in some groups of patients. Those who have preexisting pelvic or limb fractures should not be given this treatment (until the injuries have healed). This is because the maneuvers involved tend to aggravate such injuries. It should also be avoided in persons that have aortic aneurysms (abdominal), metallic implants and those with huge abdominal tumors.
Surgery is a last resort. Different types of operations can be performed depending on the extent of the problem. Each is named depending on the skeletal element that is removed. In discectomy, only the intervertebral disc is removed. In corpectomy, on the other hand, the vertebral body and the disc are removed at the same time. Other surgeries include laminectomy, osteophyte removal and foraminectomy.
Surgery carries certain risks that one needs to be aware of being signing up for it. The general complications include bleeding and infections at the surgical site. Nerve injury is one of the more specific complications that may be seen in the immediate post-operative period. In the intermediate and remote post-operative period the biggest concern appears to be spinal stability caused by the removal of supportive structures.
About the Author:
If you're seeking herniated disc pain relief Conroe chiropractor is the right person to turn to. Make an appointment for a therapy session today through http://www.lordexspineinstituteofconroe.com.