A Ruptured Disc
Over 80% of all adults will be temporarily disabled by back pain some time in their lives. Here's Dr. Firstname M. Lastname, an Orthopaedic Surgeon with Medical Center/Hospital, to tell us about one of the most serious causes of severe back pain: a ruptured disc.
What is a ruptured disc?
Between each vertebra in your spinal column there is a flexible disc that acts like a shock absorber. This disc has a hard outer layer and a soft-jelly-like core. When your back is strained, pressure may push this soft substance against the spinal cord, causing pain.
What are the symptoms of a ruptured disk?
If the ruptured disc is in your neck, you will not be able to straighten your neck without extreme pain. If the ruptured disc is lower in the spinal column, you may feel intense pain in your back, along with a searing pain down one or both legs. Other symptoms: numbness, weakness, and in rare cases, bowel or bladder incontinence.
What should you do if you think you have a ruptured disc?
See your doctor immediately. Sometimes advanced medical imaging may be required to make a diagnosis. Most patients improve with extended periods of bed rest, but surgery may be necessary to achieve a timely recovery or to avoid long-term nerve damage.
High resolution imaging, computerized bone scanning and selective injection techniques have dramatically improved diagnosis. The surgeries we can perform are also groundbreaking, utilizing new technology that involves recombinant DNA protein, which is revolutionizing the bone healing process.