Disc Herniation

Disc herniation is a common cause of neck and back pain and usually improves with time. If you suffer from chronic neck or back pain caused by disc herniation, M. Nicholas Perenich, DO, and his team at the Spine Institute of Florida, formerly Tampa Back Institute, can help. They offer the most advanced, cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments for disc herniations. The practice maintains offices in Tampa, Crystal River, Dade City, and Spring Hill, Florida. Call the office closest to you today or book an appointment online to learn more about treatments for disc herniation.

What is disc herniation?

Disc herniation means that the gel-filled center of an intervertebral disc is pushing through a tear in the tough exterior. Intervertebral discs are pillow-like discs that separate the vertebral bones in the spine. These discs support spinal movement and absorb shock.

When you have a disc herniation, the displaced disc can compress (pinch) or irritate a spinal nerve or the spinal cord or cause an inflammatory reaction, leading to neck or back pain that radiates into the arms or legs.

A traumatic injury like one suffered in an auto accident or while playing sports can cause disc herniation. This injury becomes more common as people get older; it’s brought on by age-related degenerative changes that leave the disc more vulnerable to tears.

When should I see an orthopedic spine surgeon for disc herniation?

You should schedule a consultation with the orthopedic spine surgeons at the Spine Institute of Florida if you’ve suffered a disc herniation causing radiating pain in your arms or legs or you experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. These symptoms suggest nerve involvement and, without proper care, can lead to permanent nerve damage.

The team also recommends that you schedule a visit if you continue to have neck or back pain from your disc herniation after conservative medical treatments like medication and physical therapy.

Your Spine Institute of Florida provider completes a thorough evaluation, asking detailed questions about your symptoms and when they started. They review your medical history, complete a physical exam, and order imaging studies to confirm the site of your disc herniation.

How is disc herniation treated?

The Spine Institute of Florida team recommends conservative care as the initial treatment for disc herniation. This can include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and epidural injections.

When conservative methods fail, or the herniation is severe enough to put you at risk of nerve damage, the team will recommend spine surgery. The Spine Institute of Florida uses advanced, cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments for disc herniation.

They perform disc herniation surgery through an incision less than a half-inch long and take just 30 minutes to complete. Most patients return to work the day after this surgery.

Call the Spine Institute of Florida today or click the online booking buttons to learn more about cutting-edge treatments for disc herniation.