Herniated Disc
Pain Management Specialists located in Orland Park, Oakbrook Terrace and Aurora, IL
A herniated disc is a spine injury that may cause neck or back pain. At The Neuroscience and Spine Institute in Homer Glen, Illinois, Arif Hussain, DO, Joseph Rabi, MD, and the team specialize in diagnosing and treating pain caused by a herniated disc. The pain specialists take a patient-centered approach to care, using a combination of rehabilitation and pain therapies to heal your disc and reduce your pain. For help with your herniated disc, call The Neuroscience and Spine Institute or book an appointment online today.
A herniated disc is an injured intervertebral disc, the gel-like cushions that separate each vertebral bone that makes up your spine.
You have a herniated disc when the soft gel-like center of the disc pushes through a crack in the tough exterior. This herniation may irritate or compress a spinal nerve or your spinal cord, causing pain.
You can develop a herniated disc from an acute injury like a bad fall or lifting something too heavy. However, you’re more likely to get a herniated disc as you age due to the degenerative changes that affect the disc over time, making them more vulnerable to tears.
You can have a herniated disc and not have any symptoms. However, they can cause a dull neck or back ache. If a herniated disc irritates or compresses a nerve, you may have more severe symptoms, such as:
Though a herniated disc can affect any part of the spine, they most often occur in the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine).
You should schedule an appointment with the pain management specialists at The Neuroscience and Spine Institute for your herniated disc if it causes severe or chronic pain.
Your provider asks detailed questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They review your medical history and perform a physical exam, paying close attention to the structure and function of your spine.
Your provider may request imaging studies, such as an X-ray or MRI, to confirm your diagnosis and find the location and severity of the herniation.
The pain specialists talk with you about your diagnosis and treatment options so you can make an informed decision on how you want to proceed. Treatment for a herniated disc depends on symptoms, location, and medical history and may include the following:
Most people get relief from their herniated disc pain with pain management interventions. However, if you continue to suffer from your herniated disc, the pain specialists at The Neuroscience and Spine Institute may refer you to a surgeon to discuss other options.
For expert pain care for your herniated disc, call The Neuroscience and Spine Institute or schedule an appointment online today.