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Herniated Disc Treatment Options : The Role Of Pain Management In Herniated Disc Treatment

herniated disc treatment

Maria’s joyous laughter and playful life turned into crippling back pain due to herniated discs. 

Out of many patients who visit Dr El Toukhy for herniated disc treatment, it is one story, and it could be your story too. The piercing pain of herniated discs can rob anybody’s happy daily life.

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc, a common spinal condition, is caused when the soft cushioning discs between our vertebrae rupture or bulge outwards. A herniated disc pressurises spinal nerves resulting in discomfort, weakness, and numbness, affecting various regions like the neck, back, arms, and legs. In some cases, these symptoms can greatly disrupt daily life.

Fortunately, Dr El Toukhy’s conservative pain management approaches are very effective in relieving herniated disk pain that tends to improve naturally within a few weeks. However, there are several treatments available to aid in your recovery and provide relief during this period. These approaches help facilitate your journey toward feeling better.

Herniated disc treatment options

The treatment options include:

  • Rest: Rest is often a crucial component of herniated disk treatment, allowing the body time to heal. In many cases, a significant percentage of individuals experience the resolution of their symptoms with proper rest and reduced physical activity.
  • Medications: Medications can play a role in managing pain and reducing inflammation associated with a herniated disc. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, and pain relievers are commonly prescribed to alleviate symptoms.
  • Injection therapy: When rest, pain relievers, and physical therapy fail to alleviate the pain caused by a herniated disk, your doctor may recommend an epidural steroid injection. This procedure involves injecting a steroid medication into the area surrounding the affected spinal nerve. The steroid helps reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and alleviate pain associated with the herniated disk.

herniated disc treatment

To ensure accurate administration, Dr El Toukhy uses imaging techniques such as X-ray and CT scans to guide and pinpoint the precise location for the injection. Depending on your condition, multiple steroid shots may be necessary to achieve pain relief.

  • Physical therapy options: Physical therapy is a key component of herniated disk treatment. Therapeutic exercises and stretches can help strengthen the surrounding muscles, improve flexibility, and promote proper alignment of the spine. Additionally, techniques such as traction and manual therapy may be employed to relieve pressure on the affected nerves and facilitate healing.
  • Surgery: Surgical options are considered for herniated discs when conservative treatments have not provided sufficient relief or when the condition significantly impairs daily life. Here are some common surgical interventions:
  1. Discectomy
  2. Microdiscectomy
  3. Laminectomy
  4. Spinal Fusion

FAQs

OA, or osteoarthritis, is a degenerative disease that causes cartilage in the joints to wear away, resulting in stiffness and pain.

Common osteoarthritis symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, tenderness, and loss of flexibility.

Osteoarthritis is primarily “wear and tear,” while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease.

Common osteoarthritis treatments include exercise, physical therapy, pain relievers (osteoarthritis medicine), and sometimes surgery.

Specific exercises for knee osteoarthritis are intended to build muscle strength and improve knee flexibility.

Yes, cervical osteoarthritis, affecting the neck joints, is a common cause of neck pain.

While symptoms of knee osteoarthritis can be effectively managed, there isn’t a known “cure.” Instead, the focus is on treating osteoarthritis to relieve pain.

The general treatment for osteoarthritis aims to reduce pain and improve joint function through various methods.

The role of pain management In Herniated Disc Treatment

Herniated discs are quite common, affecting a significant portion of the population. Studies estimate that around 1-3% of adults experience symptomatic herniated discs. These herniations can lead to various problems, including localized or radiating pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and impaired mobility, depending on the location and severity of the herniation.

Fortunately, most cases resolve with conservative approaches to pain management that include rest, medications and injection therapy. These injections are highly effective, and epidural injections are carefully administered directly to the affected nerve root, precisely targeting the source of pain. By delivering a combination of corticosteroids and local anaesthetics, these injections work to reduce inflammation within the spinal canal and provide effective pain relief. 

Dr El Toukhy’s expertise in performing epidural injections in Dubai has successfully helped numerous individuals find relief from their ailments. Live a better, pain-free life with Dr E Toukhy’s pain management treatments.

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