Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc | From Symptoms to Effective Treatment
If you are feeling unbearable pain in your spinal cord, it’s time to know every minor to major detail about Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc (PID).
A prolapsed intervertebral disc is also known as a herniated disc. It occurs when the external fibres of the intervertebral discs are damaged or injured, and the soft material called the core pulposus ruptures out of its surrounding areas. Prolapsed Intervertebral discs are most common in young and middle-aged individuals, but rarely happen in children. It may grow unexpectedly or gradually over weeks to months. However, in this write-up, we will explore the crucial Prolapsed Intervertebral disc symptoms, causes, treatment and many more.
What is a Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc (PID)?
A prolapsed intervertebral disc happens when one of the discs of your backbone (spine) tears or leaks due to natural injury or wear and tear. It puts an extensive amount of pressure on your spinal cord and disturbs your spinal nerves. Thus, it leads to numbness, weakness, and extreme pain. In your spinal cord, there is a series of bones stretching from the bottom of your skull to your tailbone. Furthermore, between your bones, there a circular cushions that are called disks. The disc functions as a supporting cushion between your bones and allows you to move or bend with ease. Over time, the discs become insufficient and might become displaced from their position. When it happens, it is called a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Likewise, other medical names for Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc are:
- Slipped Disc
- Protruding Disc
- Bulging Disc
- Ruptured Disc
What are the Crucial Symptoms of Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc (PID)?
The signs and symptoms of a prolapsed intervertebral disc might not include neck or back pain in some individuals, although such extreme pain is common in all. Similarly, here we have mentioned some common signs of a prolapsed intervertebral disc:
- In unbearable cases, loss of control of the bowels or bladder
- Numbness in the genital area
- Impotence in men
- Needles, numbness, pins, or a tingling sensation in one or both legs or arms
- Extreme pain in the buttock(s) or behind the shoulder blade(s).
- Pain circulates in every corner of both arms and legs
- These signs entirely depend upon which nerves have been damaged. In other words, the exact area
- Muscles Weakness
- Pain near or between your shoulder blades
- Difficulties in bending or moving your neck
What are the Significant Causes of PID – Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc?
Every disc in your spinal cord has soft, gel-like core areas and a firmer external layer, kind of like chocolate donuts. Over time, the external layer weakens and can break. A prolapsed disc occurs when the inner “jelly-like core area” pushes through the crack and presses on your spinal cord. The discharged material might press on nearby spinal nerves. Thus, it causes the signs of a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Numerous components can contribute to a disc rupture. Prolapsed intervertebral disc causes include:
- Earling aging
- Traumatic Injuries (falls)
- Inappropriately lifting heaving objects
- Performing tedious twisting or bending motions
- Falling from a considerable height
What are the Risk Components for a Slipped Disc?
Individuals aged between thirty to fifty are most probably to get a prolapsed intervertebral disc. The issue affects less in women in comparison than men. Additionally, this particular situation tends to run in families. Nevertheless, other risky components include:
- Having diabetes
- Having a connective tissue disorder
- Having obesity or being overweight
- Sitting for long time in the same position
- Smoking
Diagnosis of PID – Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc
The very first step is to book an appointment with your doctor, and then they will do a physical examination to see what issues you are facing. During your examination, the doctor will assess your pain areas, sensation, muscle strength, and muscle reflexes. They might ask for a straight leg raise medical test. With this specific test, the doctor will ask you to lie down on your back. Then, the doctor will raise your leg straight in the air to see whether you experience any pain down in your leg or not. Furthermore, you are likely to have a ruptured disc. Doctors might also perform a neurological medical test and imaging test, which includes:
- X-rays
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan
- Nerve Conduction Analysis
- Myelogram
- Electromyogram (EMG)
- CT (Computed tomography) scan
Home Remedies to Relieve Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc
In almost all case scenarios, you will feel severe pain from a slipped disc that goes away in a certain time. However, to ease pain while your disc heals, you can:
- Take a rest for at least 3 days if the pain is severe. Nevertheless, it is imperative to avoid long periods of bed rest to stop the stiffness.
- Take a pain reliever medication, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, under the guidance of your doctor.
- Apply ice or a heat pack to the affected area.
What is the Treatment for a Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc?
You might need more prolapsed intervertebral disc treatment if your signs or symptoms are not getting better. Your doctor might suggest:
1. Medinies
Doctors might prescribe an anti-inflammatory painkiller or muscle relaxant.
2. Physical Therapy
A physical therapist makes a proper fitness program to help you relieve the pressure on your nerves. A proper physical activity can easily loosen the tight muscles and improve circulation.
3. Spinal Injections
It is called a nerve block or an epidural. A spinal injection is a shot of steroid medicine directly into your spine.
Furthermore, there are many situations in which you will have to undergo surgery to treat a prolapsed intervertebral disc. They are:
- Artificial Disk Surgery
- Laminotomy
- Spinal fusion
- Diskectomy
- Laminectomy
What are the Imperative Prevention of Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc?
It is not always possible to stop prolapsed intervertebral disc. However, you can reduce the risk of it by following the pointers that are mentioned below.
- Keep a healthy diet for healthy weight
- Use appropriate lifting methods
- Stretching
- Practice good exercising posture
- Quit smoking
- Getting daily physical activity
- Avoiding wearing high-heeled footwears
When you must Visit Your Healthcare Provider?
You can treat prolapsed intervertebral disc pain at home with simple home remedies and precautions, but you should see your doctor if:
- You have to bear extreme pain with daily life activities, like walking, running, etc.
- Signs are not good after 1 month
- Symptoms get at extreme level
- You eveolve loss of bowel or bladder control
- You notice weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arm, hands, lega, or feet
- You find difficulties in standing or walking
Wrapping It Up!
We hope this page provided you with all the precise knowledge prolapsed intervertebral disc’s symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment. If you are still searching endlessly on google about “the best orthopedic & health centre near me”, look no further than Kush Orthopedic & Health Centre. With the team of all working professional in every major od medical field, you will get the cutting-edge treatment to fulfill all your medical needs. So, do not waste your time scrolling or searching for the best healthcare centre. Connect with us or book your consultation appointment from our official website. Let’s us be your health partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
A prolapsed intervertebral disc is one of the common and severe painful conditions that can significantly affect the quality of life. However, seeking professional help as soon as possible can help you prevent it in the best possible way.
It can lead to extreme pain, weakness, and numbness in your neck, throughout the spinal cord, and legs. Prolapsed intervertebral disc usually heal on its own within four to six weeks (probably 1 month).
Yes, it is. Walking is effectively considered beneficial for all individuals with prolapsed intervertebral disc, especially when individuals do low-impact activity.