Treatment for a Herniated Disc
In the spirit of the football season kicking off, today on the episode Dr. Danko discusses one of the most common injuries to the low back, which is a lumbar disc herniation. What exactly is it? How does it happen? What are the treatment options? Tune in for all of the details.
Episode Highlights:
- What is a lumbar disc? Dr. Danko explains what they are and their structure.
- With a herniated disc, it will bulge and the gelatinous material will push on the outer wall and cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, bowel and bladder problems.
- Dr. Danko talks about the scenarios and which symptoms are an emergency to make sure there isn't going to be permanent nerve damage.
- What is an extrusion?
- Most commonly the pain in the back is going to go away through rest, ice or heat, and anti-inflammatory medications unless it is a more significant herniation.
- What about physical therapy?
- One of the earlier episodes on the podcast, Dr. Danlo talks with his physical therapist friend, Dr. Burchett, check out Episode 6, “How Physical Therapy Can Help With Chronic Pain, With Dr. Drew Burchett”
- If physical therapy is not effective, the next step is generally an MRI scan.
- What is an MRI? How does it work and what does it tell your healthcare provider?
- Dr. Danko explains when a CAT scan may be used and the difference between a CAT scan and an MRI.
- If you’re continuing to have pain you may be referred to a pain management specialist for an epidural steroid injection.
- An epidural steroid injection is much different than an epidural a female may have when having a baby. Dr. Danko explains what it is and how it works.
- An epidural injection for low back pain is done in an outpatient facility.
- What if you don’t get relief from an epidural steroid injection? What is a good response to it?
- Dr. Danko explains an alternative that is a more durable solution if the other injections do not work.
- When would you be referred to a neurosurgeon for a more in depth procedure?
- What about spinal cord stimulation? It has a trial procedure as well that does not require surgery.
- There are several steps starting with the more conservative options and working towards more definitive solutions like the surgical options. If a surgery can’t fix the problem permanently, there is a great option called a spinal cord stimulator.
- Visit https://premierpaintreatment.com/ for more information.
Resources Mentioned:
https://premierpaintreatment.com/
https://premierpaintreatment.com/locations/
https://www.facebook.com/PremierPainTreatment/
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