Slipped or Ruptured Disk

A herniated disk, often referred to as a ruptured disk, can develop at any point along the spine, but it is most commonly found in the lower back. This condition is a leading cause of lower back pain and can also result in leg pain or sciatica.

Statistics show that between 60 and 80% of individuals will experience low back pain at some point in their lives, with some of these cases linked to a herniated disk causing both back and leg discomfort.

While a herniated disk can be quite painful, the good news is that most individuals experience significant relief after just a few weeks or months of nonsurgical treatment.

Causes

A herniated disk typically occurs due to the natural wear and tear on the spine that comes with aging, a process known as disk degeneration.

Risk Factors

Several factors may increase your risk of a herniated disk. These include:

• Gender: Men aged 20 to 50 are at a higher risk for herniated disks.
• Improper Lifting: Relying on your back muscles instead of your legs to lift heavy objects can lead to a herniated disk. Additionally, twisting while lifting can further compromise your back.
• Being Overweight
• Engaging in Reptitive Activities: Many jobs require employees to lift, pull, bend or twist all day long. It is important to use safe movement techniqies to protect your back
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Staying seated for long periods of time and poor posture while seated increase your chances of herniating a disk.
• Smoking: Scientific studies show a correlation between lowered oxygen supply to disks and smoking and increases the speed at which disk degeneration occurs.
  to learn more about please visit: Smoking and Musculoskeletal Health

Symptoms of Disk Herniation or Rupture

• Shooting pain that begins in the back or buttocks and radiates down the leg - this is called sciatica
• Numbness or Tingling in the leg or foot
• Noticeable change in strength or sudden onset of weakness in the arms or legs
• Loss of Bladder Control - if you experience this symptom please seek immediate medical attention

Treatment

Most disk herniations can be treated non-surgically. Commonly doctors will recommend:

• Rest
• Changes to you daily activities to limit prolonged seating, repeated twisting, bending and lifting
• Physical Therapy
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications (NSAIDs)
• Epidural Steroid Injections

Only a small percentage of patients that experience a disk injury will require surgery. Patients should consult with their physician to determine if surgery is their best option.

You can read more about Disk Degeneration on the AAOS Website.