HERNIATED DISC

The human spine has protective discs, like small pillows, which sit between the joints of your spine, to cushion and absorb the shock of your movements as you make them. Degenerative diseases, injuries, or just simply aging, can cause these to wear out and become less efficient over time. 

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Herniated, bulged, slipped or ruptured discs can be extremely painful. “Discs that become herniated usually are in an early stage of degeneration. The spinal canal has limited space, which is inadequate for the spinal nerve and the displaced herniated disc fragment. Due to this displacement, the disc presses on spinal nerves, often producing pain, which may be severe,” as stated by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).

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Each “pillow” or disc has a gel-like center. When this gel-like center is pushed through the outer exterior, the gel will start to press on near-by nerves and cause pain. 

Symptoms of herniated discs can vary patient-to-patient. This can be for a number of reasons, including the size and location of the herniated disc.

One of the most typical symptoms Dr. Merheb sees in his patients is pain which radiates along the nerve and into your legs or arms. This also includes:

• Tingling

• Numbness

• Weakness

Because the herniated disc will continue to move, shift, and break down over time, it can be expected that the pain, if untreated, will only continue to worsen. Do not let symptoms of herniated disc pain debilitate you and keep you from living an active, healthy lifestyle — schedule a consultation with Dr. Merheb today.

Once your diagnosis has been confirmed, Dr.Merheb will use conservative, non-surgical therapies like epidural steroid injections to treat the disc and help you manage your pain. This therapy involves injections of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medications directly into your spinal canal to reduce swelling and pressure on herniated discs.

Some patients could be a candidate for regenerative therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections, which promote natural healing of tissue, bones, and muscles. 

According to Penn Medicine, “Herniated discs are initially treated with a period of rest along with pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Your health care team will likely next suggest physical therapy to help ease pain and improve your range of motion.”

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After your consultation, if Dr. Merheb finds you have a severely damaged spinal disc or another condition which is not treatable with conservative therapies, he may refer you to an outside party for surgery.

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If you live in the Aventura, Miami, South Beach, or surrounding areas in Florida, and are currently suffering from chronic pain,

Dr. Merheb and his team of dedicated medical professionals urge you to call his office or set up a consultation. Let this highly experienced Interventional Pain Management and Spine Specialist help you take back control of your life.