Is A Herniated Disc Serious? | When You NEED To Take Action

Описание: Is a herniated disc serious?

Herniated discs are extremely common, and most are not serious in the sense that they get better on their own and do not cause permanent problems; however, some can be serious in two ways.

A herniated disc is serious when it causes problems with the neighboring nerve roots due to inflammation or direct pressure. Giant herniated discs, like Pat had, can cause damage to nerve roots making you paralyzed and unable to control your own urine:



If you experience severe weakness, numbness, or incontinence with back pain you may have a giant herniated disc that requires surgery on an emergency basis. If you have severe numbness, weakness, uncontrollable pain, or cannot pee with back pain then go to the nearest hospital that has a neurosurgeon on call. If a hospital is a trauma center, then there is a neurosurgeon on call there.

Second, a herniated disc can happen in conjunction with another serious problem. Infection, tumors, and fractures can all be associated with disc herniation. Fortunately, these conditions are rare, and all of them are easily seen on an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan of your back.

Pat has a history of blood cancer, but it is not the kind of thing that causes tumors that could involve the bones or discs of the spine. When we talked to him Pat also denied having fever, shakes or chills, which makes infection not likely. If you think you have a herniated disc, but you do not have functional weakness, numbness, urinary retention, history of cancer, fever, or recent trauma, then the next step depends on the severity of your pain and the pattern of recovery.

Pat had been to the clinic before, so he contacted us. If you have a lot of pain despite moist heat, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications, or you are not getting better, then see your doctor right away.