Plano TX Neurosurgeons – Herniated Disc Treatment
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According to Plano TX Neurosurgeons, a herniated disc is a severe back pain disorder. It occurs when the herniation compresses a nerve, pushing the nucleus through a crack in the annulus. A herniated disc means when the disc between vertebrae in your spine compresses the surrounding nerves.
Common back pain causes include pulled muscles or tendons, inflammation, osteoporosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, stress, ruptured discs, and herniated discs. Back pain also results from injuries in your spine’s musculoskeletal structures. In today’s article, we will discuss how Plano TX Neurosurgeons perform herniated disc treatment. Read on!
Herniated Disc Treatment Options
The main objective of treating a herniated disc is to relieve discomfort and pain in your back. MINT, Plano, TX, is a professional back pain treatment clinic with qualified and experienced neurosurgeons who work under the leadership of Dr. Scott Kutz.
Our team provides each patient with a personalized treatment based on the source of the pain and specific symptoms. Our medical team will check your spine for tenderness during the physical exam.
We perform a neurological exam to check your muscle strength, reflexes, walking ability, etc. here are the common herniated disc treatment options performed by Plano TX neurosurgeons.
Medications
Medications are the first line of treatment for back pain caused by a herniated disc. If you have mild to moderate pain, we recommend taking over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to relieve discomfort and pain.
If your pain persists for a few weeks, your doctor will give a corticosteroid injection. The doctor will inject cortisone in the area around nerves in your spine. Our neurosurgeons use spinal imaging techniques to ensure proper administration of the needle.
Muscle relaxants are another herniated disc treatment option that can reduce muscle spasms and reduce pain. However, muscle relaxants can cause side effects, such as sedation and dizziness, if taken for a prolonged period.
Because opioids can cause a wide range of side effects, many back pain doctors avoid prescribing them for a herniated disc. However, if other medications fail to relieve your back pain, your doctor may consider opioids, such as codeine or oxycodone acetaminophen.
Common side effects are sedation, confusion, nausea, constipation, and dependency on the medication. Besides back pain medications, you can apply heat and cold therapy if you think the pain is acute and not chronic.
Avoiding too much bed rest is another way to reduce the risk of stiff joints and weak muscles. Likewise, it is crucial to avoid lifting heavy objects and make your movement slow and controlled.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Herniated Discs
Minimally invasive surgery is an advanced, cutting-edge technique Plano TX neurosurgeons use to treat a wide range of back pain disorders. Microdiscectomy and spinal fusion are two standard procedures performed through a minimally invasive technique to treat herniated discs.
Microdiscectomy
MINT’s qualified neurosurgeons perform a microdiscectomy procedure to treat a herniated disc. The operation involves removing a portion of the disc with herniation to relieve pressure on the compressed nerve.
In addition, microdiscectomy performed via minimally invasive techniques requires our neurosurgeons to make a half-inch incision. Our team uses x-ray techniques to insert a retractor tube and uses a microscope to view the affected area.
That way, our neurosurgeons can successfully remove the herniation by releasing pressure on the nerve. Our neurosurgeon then closes the incision after removing the retractor. The good news is that you can go home the same day or the next day following the procedure.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is one of the most effective minimally invasive approaches used to treat a herniated disc. Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, also known as TLIF, is an effective treatment for back pain caused by a herniated disc.
Our neurosurgeon will make two smaller incisions in your back to ensure the patient does not feel pain. The surgeon then inserts a cage between two vertebrae and fixes them in a proper position. The bone graft material fuses to make the fusion permanent.
Final Words
Although medications are an excellent way to treat pain and discomfort associated with a herniated disc, you can undergo minimally invasive microdiscectomy or spinal fusion surgery, such as TLIF, to relieve chronic back pain.
Our neurosurgeons at MINT, Plano, TX, recommend these surgical techniques when conservative treatment options fail to relieve discomfort, inflammation, and pain in your spine. It is crucial to discuss your symptoms with our neurosurgeons for proper diagnosis and treatment.
If you need state-of-the-art and effective herniated disc treatment, contact MINT today and schedule an appointment with our qualified, experienced, and skilled Plano TX Neurosurgeons.
