How long does it take for a torn lumbar disc to heal?
Back or leg pain, numbness or tingling may result when the disc material touches or compresses a spinal nerve. Treatment with rest, pain medication, spinal injections, and physical therapy is the first step to recovery. Most people improve in 6 weeks and return to normal activity.
Can a torn lumbar disc heal itself?
Usually a herniated disc will heal on its own over time. Be patient, and keep following your treatment plan. If your symptoms don’t get better in a few months, you may want to talk to your doctor about surgery.
Is a torn disc the same as a herniated disc?
Herniated disks are also called ruptured disks or slipped disks, although the whole disk does not rupture or slip. Only the small area of the crack is affected. Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it generally protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots.
How serious is a herniated lumbar disc?
Rare but Dangerous Symptoms of Lumbar Herniated Disc This pressure and swelling of the nerves at the end of the spinal column can lead to paralysis and other permanent impairments if treatment is delayed. Emergency medical treatment, which may include testing and surgery, is needed if these symptoms occur.
Is it hard to walk with a herniated disc?
While a slipped disc can occur anywhere along the spine, it most commonly develops in the lumbar or cervical spine. Many people experience disc herniation with no pain or symptoms. However, a slipped disc can also cause significant pain, weakness and difficulty walking or standing.
Can slip disc be cured without surgery?
The good news is that the vast majority of herniated discs can be treated without surgery using manual therapy and exercise or with IDD Therapy disc treatment. It is only a small percentage of cases which go on to have surgery.
Is walking good for herniated disc?
Walking is an excellent choice for patients with herniated discs, as it stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the cells. It also helps keep your discs hydrated, which is important for healing. Other low-impact aerobic activities to try are swimming and cycling.
Do disc tears heal?
Most annular tears improve and heal over time with rest, spine-specialized physical therapy, and over the counter anti-inflammatories. In some situations symptoms may warrant prescription strength anti-inflammatories or possible pain or muscle relaxant medication.
How painful is a torn disc?
A ruptured disc causes severe low back pain and, sometimes, shooting pain down the back of the legs, which is known as sciatica. Usually the symptoms of a disc rupture heal on their own after a few weeks to a month. If the problem persists for months and becomes chronic, you may choose to eventually consider surgery.
Is a herniated disc a disability?
A severe herniated disc can be considered a disability and make you eligible for Social Security disability benefits if it meets the requirements in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book. The Blue Book is the official listing of all of the conditions that qualify a person to receive disability benefits.
Is disc herniation a disability?
What activities should you avoid with a herniated disc?
Everyday Activities to Avoid with Herniated Disc
- Sitting too much. Sitting puts more stress on your spinal discs, especially when slouching forward in a seat.
- Doing laundry.
- Vacuuming.
- Feeding a pet.
- Strenuous exercise.
- Shoveling snow or gardening.
- Learn more:
What is the best treatment for lumbar herniated disc?
Treatment for Lumbar Herniated Disc Video. A combination of the following conservative treatment options can be used through at least the first six weeks of discomfort and pain: Physical therapy, exercise and gentle stretching to help relieve pressure on the nerve root. Ice and heat therapy for pain relief.
What is the best treatment for a disc tear?
When dealing with the initial disc tear, our doctors typically begin with a conservative treatment approach including physical therapy designed to strengthen and stabilize the area around the disc, pain medication, anti-inflammatory injections or nerve block injections to numb the nerve roots affected by the disc tear.
What are the symptoms of a herniated or torn disc?
If you have a torn disc in your lower back (lumbar region), you will feel symptoms in the legs, whereas a disc tear in the neck (cervical region) will cause symptoms in the arms, shoulders, and hands. As a disc tear progresses without treatments, symptoms will get worse, and eventually result in a completely herniated, or bulging, disc.
How long does it take for a herniated disc to heal?
Watch Herniated Disc Videos. For lumbar and cervical herniated discs, conservative (non-surgical) treatments can usually be applied for around four to six weeks to help reduce pain and discomfort. A process of trial and error is often necessary to find the right combination of treatments.