A herniated disc, commonly known as a ruptured or slipped disc, occurs when a fragment of a disc’s jelly-like center (nucleus) leaks out through a tear in the disc’s exterior (annulus). A herniated disc can either be due to aging-related wear and tear, traumatic injury, or poor body mechanics when lifting heavy objects.
A herniated disc can affect a nearby nerve, causing symptoms, such as low back pain and tingling sensation, numbness, and/or weakness that can radiate to the arm or leg.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you need to see an orthopedic doctor, who will perform a physical exam and order medical imaging tests to make an accurate diagnosis and devise an effective treatment plan.
Let’s discuss the treatment methods your orthopedic doctor will likely use to treat your herniated disc and whether these have any impact on your recovery time.
Treatment Options and Whether They Impact Recovery Time
To facilitate recovery, your orthopedic doctor will likely recommend a combination of any of the following interventions after confirming a diagnosis:
- Activity restriction (avoiding activities that can exacerbate the pain)
- Home exercises
- Massage therapy
- Medications (e.g., oral pain relievers, epidural steroid injections (ESIs), muscle relaxers)
- Physical therapy– to alleviate pain, improve your flexibility, and promote healing
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy– a treatment approach that utilizes your own blood to stimulate the healing process
- Relaxation techniques- to relieve tension in your back muscles
The amount of time you will need to recover from a herniated disc essentially hinges on how the herniation occurred, what caused it, and how severe it is.
In most cases, the symptoms of a herniated disc respond well to conservative interventions—such as the ones mentioned above—and recovery can take place within a few days to about six weeks.
If your symptoms don’t respond to a six-week course of conservative treatment, your orthopedic surgeon will likely recommend surgery to remove the protruding portion of the disc and take the pressure off your spinal nerve. Depending on how well you follow your rehabilitation program, it can take you up to four weeks to fully recover and return to your normal activities.
Herniated Disc Treatment Near Me in Plantation, FL
For first-rate herniated disc treatment in Plantation, Florida, visit us at the Baylis & Brown Orthopedics. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Brown, specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of all spinal disorders affecting children and adults. He will devise a comprehensive and highly effective care plan to put you on the path to recovery—just like how he helped the scores of patients in Plantation and the neighboring communities feel, move, and live better!
Give us a call today to set up an appointment with Dr. Brown: (954) 476-8800. Or, fill out our request form. We look forward to serving you!
