Herniated Disk (Slipped, Ruptured or Bulging Disk) A herniated disk is also known as a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk. It’s one of the most common causes of neck, back and leg pain.
Most of the time, herniated disks heal on their own or with simple home-care measures
.
How long does it take a herniated disc to heal without surgery?
Most people recover from a slipped disc within
six weeks
without treatment.
Is ruptured disc permanent?
Most of the time, pain associated with a herniated disc goes away on its own over a period of weeks or months and
does not cause permanent damage to the spine or nerves
. A herniated disc can occur in any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back (the lumbar spine) and the neck (the cervical spine).
Can you live with a ruptured disc?
Living with a herniated disc
Your chances of getting better are good
. Most people who have a herniated disc are better in about 4 weeks. Sometimes it takes longer. If you still have pain or numbness after 4 to 6 weeks, or if you feel worse, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for a ruptured disc to heal?
The average amount of time it takes for a herniated disk to heal is
four to six weeks
, but it can get better within a few days depending on how severe the herniation was and where it occurred. The biggest factor in healing a herniated disk is time, because most often it will resolve on its own.
Why is my herniated disc not healing?
Sometimes,
the nerves are actually damaged by the pressure from the disc herniation
and may not recover completely. You may also develop scar tissue around the nerves weeks after the operation that causes pain similar to what you had before the operation.
What happens if you let a herniated disc go untreated?
If a patient has a herniated disc and does nothing to treat it,
severe nerve damage and pain can result
. Some of the symptoms of untreated herniated discs include: Back/Neck pain. Nerve pain in the arms/legs.
Is walking good for herniated disc?
Absolutely.
Walking is an excellent choice for patients with herniated discs
, as it stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the cells. It also helps keep your discs hydrated, which is important for healing. Other low-impact aerobic activities to try are swimming and cycling.
Can a herniated disc heal after 6 months?
Long-standing evidence suggests that
pain associated with a herniated disc often diminishes without surgery within 4-6 months
. In fact, 80% of herniated discs get better on their own, without the need for surgery – and improve about 3 months after the onset of leg pain.
What percentage of herniated discs require surgery?
When & How to Seek Medical Care
Fortunately,
the majority of herniated discs do not require surgery
. With time, the symptoms of sciatica/radiculopathy improve in approximately 9 out of 10 people. The time to improve varies, ranging from a few days to a few weeks.
How do I know if my herniated disc is healing?
Can you make a herniated disc worse?
Can you make a herniated disc worse?
The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting
. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse.
How do you fix a ruptured disc?
Physical therapy, exercise and gentle stretching to help relieve pressure on the nerve root
. Ice and heat therapy for pain relief. Manipulation (such as chiropractic manipulation) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or COX-2 inhibitors for pain relief.
What is the difference between a herniated disc and a ruptured disc?
Herniated disks are also called ruptured disks or slipped disks, although
the whole disk does not rupture or slip
. Only the small area of the crack is affected. Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it generally protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots.
What part of the body is affected when a disc is ruptured?
While any spinal disc can herniate, or rupture, the problem occurs most often in the
lumbar spine, or lower back
. When a disc becomes herniated, it can leak fluid that irritates nearby nerves and leads to chronic pain.
How do you know if your herniated disc is getting worse?
Some people’s legs or feet feel numb or tingly.
The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting
. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse.
What is the fastest way to heal a herniated disc?
- Alternate applying heat and cold.
- Stay as active as you can. Take walks to avoid becoming too stiff from resting too often.
- Try alternative treatments like acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic.
Can you have a Microdiscectomy twice?
Recurrence of a Disc Herniation
If the disc does herniate again, a revision microdiscectomy will generally be just as successful as the first operation
. However, after a recurrence, the patient is at a higher risk of further recurrences.
Which is worse sciatica or herniated disc?
One of the most important differences between the two conditions is the fact that sciatica can be treated in a relatively short period of time.
Herniated discs, on the other hand, require greater care
. These represent a permanent condition. When left untreated, the impact on quality of life is much more severe.
Which is worse bulging or herniated disk?
Herniated discs are considered more severe than bulging discs
because they put significant pressure on nearby nerves, which can cause intense pain, inflammation and difficulties with movement.
Does cortisone shot help herniated disc?
Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and can be effective when delivered directly into the painful area. Unfortunately,
the injection does not make a herniated disc smaller
; it only works on the spinal nerves by flushing away the proteins that cause swelling.
What activities should you avoid with a herniated disc?
- Sitting too much. Sitting puts more stress on your spinal discs, especially when slouching forward in a seat. …
- Doing laundry. …
- Vacuuming. …
- Feeding a pet. …
- Strenuous exercise. …
- Shoveling snow or gardening. …
- Learn more:
Can you push a herniated disc back into place?
If you have back pain from a bulging disc,
do not have your friend try to force it back into place
. This will likely increase, rather than relieve, your pain.
