Herniated Disc
A herniated disc (slipped or ruptured disc) occurs when the soft inner nucleus of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer annulus, potentially pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
Definition
A herniated disc (slipped or ruptured disc) occurs when the soft inner nucleus of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer annulus, potentially pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
In-Depth
What You Need to Know
Disc herniations most commonly occur in the lumbar spine (L4-L5, L5-S1) causing sciatica, and cervical spine (C5-C6, C6-C7) causing arm symptoms. Stages of disc pathology: disc bulge (contained), disc protrusion (focal), disc extrusion (through annulus but connected), and disc sequestration (free fragment). Importantly, many disc herniations are asymptomatic — MRI studies show that 30-40% of people without back pain have disc herniations. Physical therapy uses the McKenzie method (directional preference exercises), core stabilization, nerve mobilization, traction (manual or mechanical), and pain neuroscience education. 90% of lumbar disc herniations resolve without surgery within 6-12 weeks. Surgery (microdiscectomy) is considered when conservative treatment fails after 6-12 weeks or when progressive neurological deficits occur. Red flags: bilateral leg symptoms, bowel/bladder dysfunction, or progressive weakness require urgent surgical evaluation.
Calls & Questions
What Patients Ask
Common phone questions about herniated disc — and how Front Desk handles scheduling and call routing automatically.
Common Patient Questions
- 1Can physical therapy fix a herniated disc?
- 2Do I need surgery for a herniated disc?
- 3How long does a herniated disc take to heal?
- 4Should I rest or stay active with a herniated disc?
How Front Desk Helps Your Practice
Front Desk schedules evaluation appointments, routes red flag symptoms requiring urgent referral, and reassures callers that disc herniations often improve with physical therapy.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about herniated disc.
A herniated disc (slipped or ruptured disc) occurs when the soft inner nucleus of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer annulus, potentially pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness. Disc herniations most commonly occur in the lumbar spine (L4-L5, L5-S1) causing sciatica, and cervical spine (C5-C6, C6-C7) causing arm symptoms. Stages of disc pathology: disc bulge (contained), disc protrusion (focal), disc extrusion (through annulus but connected), and disc sequestration (free fragment).
Your physical therapy provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk schedules evaluation appointments, routes red flag symptoms requiring urgent referral, and reassures callers that disc herniations often improve with physical therapy.
Your physical therapy provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk schedules evaluation appointments, routes red flag symptoms requiring urgent referral, and reassures callers that disc herniations often improve with physical therapy.
Your physical therapy provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk schedules evaluation appointments, routes red flag symptoms requiring urgent referral, and reassures callers that disc herniations often improve with physical therapy.
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