Disc Herniation

Symptoms of a Disc Herniation

The symptoms an individual experiences, when they have a herniated disc, will vary based on the individual, the severity of the injury, and where the impact or injury takes place in the spine. The size of the disc herniation (how much of the internal spinal disc material exits the tougher exterior of the disc) can also impact the type, frequency, and intensity of symptoms experienced. Here are the most common symptoms of a disc herniation:

• Pain in the arm, foot, shoulder, legs, buttocks, thigh, and/or calf
• General numbness or tingling sensation in different parts of the body
• Weakness overall or weakness in specific parts of the body that make it difficult to lift items, and may cause an increase in stumbling or unbalanced walking
• Burning sensation in similar parts of the body that you might experience pain
• Lower back pain
• Dull or sharp pain in the neck area or between the shoulder blades or at the spot of the herniation

When Should I See a Doctor

If you are at all ever concerned about your overall health, consult with a bone specialist as soon as possible. If you are experiencing severe back pain, stabbing pain, or chronic pain, you should make an appointment with your local Atlanta Orthopedic Clinic, AICA Orthopedics immediately. You should also seek medical attention right away if the pain you’re experiencing in your neck or back also travels down to the arm or leg or if you experience general weakness, tingling, and/or numbness in the same areas.

Diagnosing a Disc Herniation

During a physical exam, a doctor will examine various parts of the body to test for different statuses of the body’s systems, including reflexes, muscle strength, ability to walk, and ability to sense or detect light physical touches and vibration.

You may require specialized imaging tests in order to get an accurate depiction of the state your spine is in, including x-rays, CT scans (computerized tomography), MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), electromyograms (to test electrical impulsesin the nerve tissue) and/or myelograms.

Getting Treatment for a Disc Herniation

Contact our team at AICA Orthopedics to get connected with an experienced healthcare professional and disc herniation specialist. We’ll diagnose the severity of the disc herniation and discuss the treatment options available. AICA Orthopedics consists of a variety of specialists to help you find proper disc herniation treatment for the best possible recovery. Our team of specialists at AICA Orthopedics are experienced to provide relief and solutions for disc herniation:

Orthopedic

Many orthopedic solutions are available to treat a disc herniation, including but not limited to an axial fusion, endoscopic foraminotomy, cervical disc replacement, microdiscectomy, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), percutaneous discectomy, and more. The type of surgery recommended depends on the type and severity of your disc herniation. Learn more!