Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is a common cause of acute and chronic neck and back pain. At Apex Pain Specialists in Chandler, Arizona, the highly skilled board-certified pain management physicians Naveen Reddy, MD, and Maziar Massrour, MD, specialize in diagnosing and treating pain caused by a herniated disc. For comprehensive pain care from the best pain doctors in Arizona, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc is a damaged intervertebral disc in the spine. Your spine consists of a series of bones called vertebrae. Each bone is separated and cushioned by an intervertebral disc. 

These discs have a tough exterior and a soft, gel-like center, acting as shock absorbers during movement. A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like center of the disc breaks through the tough exterior. 

You can develop a herniated disc from an acute back injury like a bad fall or poor lifting. However, this type of disc damage most often occurs from the natural degeneration of the discs that happens with age, making them more vulnerable to tears. 

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

You can have a herniated disc and not know it. You may only have symptoms if the herniated disc irritates or compresses the spinal cord or spinal nerve. Symptoms of a herniated disc may include:

• Dull neck or back pain
• Pain that radiates into the arms or legs
• Burning, tingling, or numbness
• Muscle weakness

Herniated discs commonly cause sciatica, a nerve pain condition that may affect the lower back, buttocks, and legs. 

When should I seek pain management for a herniated disc?

You should seek pain management for a herniated disc if you have pain symptoms that fail to improve within a few weeks. 

The experts at Apex Pain Specialists take a comprehensive and integrative approach to pain, finding and treating the source of your pain using a combination of interventional pain treatments, conservative care, and alternative therapies.

Your pain provider reviews your symptoms and the activities that worsen them. They perform a physical exam, paying close attention to your spine to pinpoint the source of your pain. They may request imaging tests to confirm or rule out a herniated disc and determine the severity of the herniation.

What are the treatments for a herniated disc?

Your pain physician at Apex Pain Specialists customizes your herniated disc treatment plan based on your medical history, the severity of your symptoms, and the location of the herniation.

Treatment for a herniated disc may include:

• Physical therapy
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Epidural steroid injections
• Discseel® Procedure
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Percutaneous discectomy

Apex Pain Specialists schedule regular follow-up visits to adjust your plan to improve pain and healing.

For expert pain care for your herniated disc, call Apex Pain Specialists or book an appointment online today.