A herniated disc — when the soft, jelly-like center of your disc (the shock absorber of the spine) pushes through its tough exterior at a certain point — can cause considerable pain and affect your mobility.
You’re not alone if you suspect you may have a herniated disc. Up to 80% of people experience significant back pain at some point, and herniated discs are one of the more common causes.
There are so many causes of back pain, from sciatica to degenerative disc disease, that it can be hard to discern what exactly is wrong.
Fortunately, board-certified neurosurgeons Dr. David Westra and Dr. Katherine Wagner at Ventura Neurosurgery in Midtown, Ventura, California, are committed to accurately diagnosing and treating your back pain and are especially skilled at determining whether it can be traced to a herniated disc.
Our team is also dedicated to educating patients, giving you the knowledge you need to understand what’s causing your back pain. The faster you can learn what your particular diagnosis is, the more rapidly you can address and treat it.
These spinal shock absorbers are like little protective pillows between your vertebrae. Each disc’s soft center — the nucleus — is surrounded by a tougher protective outer shell.
When part of the nucleus escapes through a weak part of the outer layer, it causes a herniated disc — and as any sufferer knows, it’s no fun!
Since back pain can be traced to many sources, including arthritis, scoliosis, injuries, and more, it can be confusing to conclude that your pain and movement problems might be related to a herniated disc.
We’ve outlined four key signs that may indicate a herniated disc, helping you determine when it’s time to consult your Ventura Neurosurgery provider.
A pinched nerve, otherwise known as radiculopathy, can often be traced to a herniated disc, so if you’re experiencing sciatica symptoms, like thigh, hip, and buttocks pain, balance issues, muscle weakness, and tingling or numbness, you likely have a herniated disc in your lumbar spine.
Herniated discs don’t just happen in your lumbar spine — they can also happen in your cervical, or upper spine. If you’re coping with neck pain that manifests on the front or sides of your neck, this might point to a herniated disc as well.
Another prime indicator of a herniated disc is radiating pain. If you have a herniated disc in your lower back, the pain that starts in your buttocks may extend along the back of your thigh and calf and travel into your foot.
If you have a neck herniation, you might feel pain from your neck or the shoulder blade into your upper arm, forearm, and even to your fingers.
Pressure is your body’s enemy in this instance. A herniated disc might cause hard-to-endure pain when you cough or sneeze, or when you recline, sit too long, or try to bend forward.
If these symptoms sound like what you’ve been living with, it’s time to visit your Ventura Neurosurgery provider. We’ll likely recommend conservative treatments to begin with, which include physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Sometimes, however, conservative treatments don’t ease your pain or boost your mobility. In these cases, minimally invasive spine surgery may be necessary, including procedures such as:
With XLIF surgery, your surgeon accesses the space between your discs from your side.
Minimally invasive procedures spare your muscles and offer several advantages, including a faster, less painful recovery, reduced bleeding and scarring, and a lower risk of post‑surgical infection.
You can count on our team to provide advanced treatment with a great deal of compassion if you’re living with a herniated disc and all that accompanies it. We want you to return to your favorite activities and move freely once again after treatment.
To learn more about which procedure may be right for you, or to obtain a diagnosis, contact our office today at 805-590-4365 to schedule an appointment or book via our website.
