Important Information Of Herniated Disc Pain Relief Conroe Clients Should Know

By Scott Cox


Intervertebral disc herniation frequently follows a traumatic event to the spine or heavy lifting. It is a problem that occurs in both men and women. Symptoms include back pain, limb pain and numbness that may make walking or sitting quite difficult. The main cause of the symptoms is impingement of nerves by the prolapsed disc. If they are looking for herniated disc pain relief Conroe residents need to understand a number of things beforehand.

There are many over the counter and prescription medications that one may consider for this problem. The commonest options is drugs that fall in the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs). These drugs work by relieving the pain and reducing the inflammation that characterizes the condition. Some of the drugs that may be considered here include ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen. Opioids and steroidal injections are other options that may also be tried.

Physical therapies have an important role to play in this condition. These may be performed by a professional (passive maneuvers) or by the affected individual (active maneuvers). Always ensure that you get professional advice on what would work in your case to avoid aggravating the condition. It is not uncommon for physical therapies to be performed alongside other interventions such as the administration of drugs.

Traction is another effective non-invasive method. The method involves the application of a steady pulling force along the axis of the spine. The force increases the space between vertebral bodies. This may help the displaced disc to slip back to its position. Several sessions are usually required before the pain can be relieved. This procedure is usually conducted in an outpatient facility and takes between 30 minutes and one hour. There are very few side effects if any.

Surgery is only considered as a last resort when all the non-invasive modalities have been tried with no success. The types of surgeries that are done here are also known as decompression procedures. This is because they are mainly performed to relieve the compression exerted by the disc to other structures in the spine. The operation that is performed is named depending on the part of the spine that is removed. Common examples include laminectomy, osteophyte removal and corpectomy.

Surgery is associated with a number of complications. These may either be immediate or may be seen in the long term. Some of the immediate surgical complications include excessive bleeding and injury to vital structures such as nerves. Infections may also set in. Long term complications include spinal instability particularly when an important component has been removed from the spine. Spinal fusion surgery becomes a necessity to restore stability.

The time needed for recovery varies from one person to another and also depends on the severity of the condition. In general, two to six weeks are needed for the initial phase of healing. Full recovery may require weeks to months depending on the operation. Although the pain may initially worsen, it wears off gradually and many may even become pain free in the end.

There are a number of treatment modalities that can be considered either singly or in combination when it comes to the management of back pain. One needs to consider the benefits and the possible risks before making a decision on what to use. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy have been associated with favorable outcomes. It is for this reason that you should see your doctor as soon as you suspect the condition.




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