Herniated Disc

A herniated disc (also reffered to as 'Herniated Disk') condition, more professionally known as a 'spinal disc herniation', occurs when the soft inner part of a disc in our spine bulges out of its place, and moves towards the spinal canal.

Our vertebral column ,also known as our 'Spine', consists of vertebral bones (the bones protecting the spinal cord from the back) which are separated by small, round cartilaginous joints that lie between them and allow slight movement and act as ligaments holding the vertebrae together. These discs consist of an outer layer in the shape of a ring (called annulus fibrosus), that holds the inner part of the disc (called nucleus pulposus) containing a softer substance. When a disc becomes herniated, the inner substance is pushed through a small rupture in the outer ring into the spinal canal and causes back pain that will radiate to the arm or legs and can also cause numbness or weakness in the back area.

There are actually three similar conditions that can cause the Herniated Disc:

• A Bulging Disc – A situation in which some of the inner nucleus leaks into the cracks in the capsule and the disc begins to bulge out from between the vertebral bones.
• A Ruptured Disc – The inner nucleus material breaks through the capsule.
• A Free Fragment - Fragments of a ruptured disc may break completely free of the disc and lodge in the spinal canal.

Herniated Disc Video

Herniated Disc Symptoms

Not every patient experiencing a herniated disc will show symptoms. Sometimes a patient will not know he has a 'spinal disc herniation' until getting an x-ray that shows the problem. However, a herniated disc can often be accompanied by severe pain.

Herniated discs may include these three symptoms:

• Back Pain – A pain that worsens with time when sitting, coughing and sneezing.
• Numbness or weakness in the lower back, one of the patient's legs, the nape, the shoulders, the chest or the patient's arms.
• Sciatica - A pain affecting the sciatic nerve, which is a large nerve extending from the lower back down the back of each leg.

Herniated Disc Treatments

Most patients suffering from a 'spinal disc herniation' will be treated with conventional medication, along with instructions to avoid certain positions that cause the pain and special exercises. This should improve the situation within a month or two.

Statistics show that 1 out of every 10 patients will need surgery for their situation. The most common surgery for this condition is a 'Discectomy' (also called Disc Decompression Surgery') in which disc material is removed, through an incision in the back, done right above the location of the problem. The material removal is done either by suction, the use of laser to destroy it or simply by the surgeon pulling it out.

The recovery period is fairly short as the patient can be released on the same day or be kept for a few days for observation. The patient will be prescribed pain medication by the doctor and the stiches will be removed a week after surgery. Full recovery is expected up to 6 weeks after the procedure.

Herniated Disc Surgery Abroad

If you are diagnosed with a severe case of 'spinal disc herniation' and do need surgery to repair the condition, then TicketMed is standing by to assist you with all you need to schedule a quick and reliable procedure abroad. Do not keep on postponing treatment and experiencing pain, contact us or ask for a quote for the surgery.