Mayo Clinic Explains Herniated Disk
Mayo Clinic・4 minutes read
Disk herniation occurs when the soft center of a disk slips out through a tear, causing pain and numbness, often due to factors like aging, muscle use, genetics, weight, job type, and smoking. Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, and diagnoses involve physical exams and imaging tests, with treatment options ranging from medication and therapy to surgery or implants, with most cases resolving without surgery.
Insights
- Disk herniation, as explained by Dr. Mohamad Bydon, is caused by the soft inner part of a disk protruding through a tear in the tough exterior, leading to nerve irritation and symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness in limbs.
- Factors contributing to disk herniation include aging, improper muscle use, genetics, obesity, smoking, and physically demanding jobs, highlighting the importance of lifestyle and environmental factors in the development of this condition.
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Recent questions
What is disk herniation?
Disk herniation is a condition where the soft jelly-like center of a disk slips out through a tear in the rubbery exterior, causing irritation to nearby nerves and resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness in limbs.
What are the common causes of disk herniation?
Disk herniation is often caused by wear and tear as people age, with factors such as using back muscles instead of leg muscles, twisting awkwardly, being overweight, genetics, physically demanding jobs, and smoking increasing the risk of developing this condition.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disk?
Symptoms of a herniated disk include pain in the arms or legs, buttocks, thighs, calf, or foot, as well as numbness or tingling sensations. These symptoms can vary depending on the location of the herniated disk in the spine.
How is a herniated disk diagnosed?
Diagnosis of a herniated disk involves physical examinations, inquiries into medical history, and various tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and nerve tests. These tests help healthcare providers determine the location and severity of the herniation.
What are the treatment options for a herniated disk?
Treatment options for a herniated disk include pain medication, cortisone injections, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, and in rare cases, surgery such as diskectomy, bone grafts, or artificial disk implants. Most cases of herniated disks can be resolved without the need for surgery through conservative treatments.
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Summary
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Understanding Disk Herniation and Treatment Options
- Dr. Mohamad Bydon, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic, explains disk herniation, which occurs when the soft jelly-like center of a disk slips out through a tear in the rubbery exterior, irritating nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness in limbs.
- Disk herniation is often due to wear and tear as people age, with factors like using back muscles instead of leg muscles, twisting awkwardly, being overweight, genetics, physically demanding jobs, and smoking increasing the risk.
- Symptoms of a herniated disk include arm or leg pain, buttocks, thighs, calf, or foot pain, numbness, or tingling, with diagnosis involving physical exams, medical history inquiries, and tests like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and nerve tests.
- Treatment options for a herniated disk include pain medication, cortisone injections, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, and in rare cases, surgery like diskectomy, bone grafts, or artificial disk implants, with most cases resolving without surgery.
