Between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine are intervertebral discs that act as shock absorbers for the spine. With age related degeneration or injury, these discs can become weakened and extend or bulge beyond the normal margins they occupy between the vertebrae. This condition is referred to as a bulging disc. A bulge can cause inflammation or compress a spinal nerve and cause painful symptoms down legs and feet. If you are experiencing these symptoms, your back problems may signal that you need bulging disc treatment.
WHAT CAUSES A BULGING DISC IN THE BACK?
A buldging disc in the back usually occurs simply as a result of age. In the majority of patients who have a bulging disc, there is no noticeable pain unless the disc bulge is significant enough to cause compression or progresses into a herniation. Although a disc bulge does not usually cause compression, it may cause inflammation and mimic the symptoms of a disc herniation. A bulging disc may be found during a routine or diagnostic imaging test such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
SYMPTOMS OF A BULGING DISC IN THE BACK
Bulging disc symptoms can mimic the symptoms of a pinched nerve and can include:
- Pain in the back
- Numbness and weakness in the legs
- Pain and discomfort in the legs and feet
The MISI Approach to Bulging Disc in the Back Treatments
In most cases, patients will find relief through non-surgical treatment. Some common treatments include:
- Activity adjustment and rest
- Anti inflammatory medication
- Physical Therapy
If bulging disc symptoms persist, a minimally invasive outpatient decompression procedure can be performed. An outpatient, minimally invasive laminectomy or minimally invasive discectomy procedure can allow for a fast recovery and relief from painful symptoms of a bulging or herniated disc. These minimally invasive procedures provide relief without the long recovery period of a traditional open-back surgery. The goal of our bulging disc treatment is to help you heal and get back to life as quickly as possible.