Options Of Herniated Disc Pain Relief Conroe Patients Need To Be Aware Of

By Scott Cox


Intervertebral disc herniation is a common problem among both men and women. It commonly results from excessive strain on the spine such as that occurring during heavy lifting or direct trauma to the back. A disc that prolapses from its natural position is likely to interfere with other structures within its vicinity (particularly nerves). Nerve compression due to prolapsed discs causes various symptoms. There are a number of herniated disc pain relief Conroe residents need to know.

Pharmacological agents are quite effective if carefully selected. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs are among those that are used on a day to day basis. The benefits of these drugs are two fold; they relieve the pain and reduce any associated inflammation. Some of the drugs include diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen. If these prove ineffective then stronger agents such as opioids can be considered. Steroids injected directly to the site are another possible option.

Physical manipulation includes chiropractic and massage. Exercises to the back can either be done by a trained professional or by the subject. Commonly, the two are combined. It is important to discuss with your doctor whether this method will be effective in your specific case. Even when other modes of management are chosen, physical therapy remains an important component that should be included whenever possible.

Traction is a technique that is employed for the management of many spine conditions. It is performed by applying a pulling force on the limbs and hip which are subsequently transmitted to the spine. The aim is to realign the spine and restore the normal anatomy. When done consistently and in the right manner the disc will fall back to its position and this will relieve the associated symptoms.

Surgical intervention is in most cases, a last resort. Operations that are performed in this instance are also known as decompression procedures. This is mainly because they help in relieving the pressure that the disc exerts on the other structures at the site. There are many types of these operations and the choice is determined by the nature of the prolapse, the surgical skill of the doctor as well as expected complications. Examples include osteophyte removal, laminectomy and corpectomy.

Surgery is associated with a number of complications. These may either be immediate or may be seen in the long term. Some of the immediate surgical complications include excessive bleeding and injury to vital structures such as nerves. Infections may also set in. Long term complications include spinal instability particularly when an important component has been removed from the spine. Spinal fusion surgery becomes a necessity to restore stability.

After the operation, between two and six weeks are needed for recovery. Supervised physical exercise is highly recommended during the initial few days so as to expedite the healing process. Although the pain may appear to worsen at first, it progressively abates and one will experience even more relief in subsequent weeks and months. A significant number of patients go on to lead pain free lives for a long period of time.

There are many options of relieving back pain caused by a herniated disc. Having the diagnosis made accurately by the doctor is the first step towards getting a solution to the problem. The doctor and the patient should discuss all the possible options before settling down on one of them. What works for one patient may not necessarily be as good for another.




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