Slipped Disc

Slipped Disc

Slipped disc is a common term used to refer to a prolapsed disc. This is a disorder when the inner, softer part of the disc bulges out through a weakness in the outer part of the disc. The bulging disc may then press on nearby nerves and cause discomfort and pain. Back pain, ache in the arm or leg and pinpricks felt in feet, toes and hands are the usual symptoms.

Management

Surgery is considered for disc prolapse if the symptoms of the bulging disc have not settled after about six weeks or so. One may opt for:

Keyhole surgery or microdiscectomy spine surgery, which is typically performed when there is a prolapsed disc in the lumbar (lower back) region which is pressing against a nerve.

Disc replacement – Here, an artificial disc is implanted into the spine to imitate the functions of a normal disc (carry load and allow motion). Artificial discs are usually made of metal or plastic-like (biopolymer) materials, or a combination of the two. The treatment for bulging disc and prolapsed disc is a disc replacement done in the cervical (neck) spine.