The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. Between the bones are spinal discs, which serve as cushions between two vertebrae. The disc consists of outer and inner parts. When the outer portion of the disc degenerates, the inner part of the disc may rupture and protrude out of its space between the two vertebrae. This ‘bulging’ is called a herniated disc.
Herniated discs may heal on their own with rest and non-surgical treatments. Talk to your doctor about taking steps to treat your degenerative disc problems with non-surgical techniques including rest, gentle and regular back exercises, anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications, muscle relaxants, adequate sleep, weight loss (if applicable), or perhaps an assistive device such as a cane.
If the pain and rupture do not go away after six to eight weeks, your doctor may recommend diagnostic tests and potentially surgery to repair the disc.
There are different surgeries for herniated discs: open discectomy, endoscopic microdiscetomy, percutaneous discectomy, laminotomy and laminectomy.
