f you have a herniated spinal disc, also commonly known as a "slipped disc" or “ruptured disc,” you’re not alone. In fact, according to Cleveland Clinic, herniated discs are one of the most common causes of leg, back, and neck pain. It’s also not out of the ordinary to have a herniated disc an
d not even know it, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question posed above. However, there are some ways you can determine how serious a herniated disc is and when to seek medical attention.
The Nature of Your Symptoms Is a Key Consideration
Any of the discs in your spine could become herniated, although the lower back area is where disc problems often develop. Regardless of where your damaged disc may be, how serious it is will depend, in part, on the nature of your symptoms. The most common ones include:
- Pain and/or numbness—usually more noticeable on one side
- Discomfort extending to nearby areas like your hips, legs, and feet
- Pain that becomes worse when shifting positions, standing up, or sitting down
- General muscle weakness within or around the affected area
- Tingling or burning sensations
The Effect on Your Daily Life Is an Important Factor
The extent of the symptoms you have with a herniated disc can be very different than what someone else with the same condition may be experiencing. This is why another factor to consider when determining how serious a herniated disc is for you is how it’s affecting your daily life. Generally, a damaged spinal disc is serious if it’s impacting your ability to:
- Go about your daily routine
- Carry out your work-related duties and tasks
- Participate in activities you enjoy
- Maintain your preferred level of activity
- Sleep through the night
Herniated Disc Pain Often Goes Away
More often than not, discomfort stemming from a herniated disc gets better within 1–2 weeks and goes away for the most part after about a month or so. If this is what ends up happening for you, it’s still important to check in with your doctor or a specialist to determine if any further steps may be necessary.
Untreated Disc Pain Has Some Risks
If you have lingering symptoms related to a herniated disc that don’t go away entirely, the damage to the affected nerve could worsen. If this happens, your symptoms could become more disruptive. According to Healthline.com, possible complications of an untreated herniated disc include:
- Permanent nerve damage
- A loss of sensation within the affected area
- Damage to the bundle of nerves at the end of the spinal cord, known as the cauda equina
- A loss of bowel and/or bladder control
See a Doctor if Symptoms Are Serious and/or Persistent
While rare, it’s possible for herniated disc symptoms to become potentially life-threatening. If symptoms are extremely severe and debilitating, immediate medical attention is needed. A herniated disc is also serious enough to see a doctor about if your discomfort persists for more than 4–6 weeks or shows no signs of improving.
If you have a herniated disc that isn’t responding to conservative treatment, a microdiscectomy may be the best option. Although this is generally a very successful back surgery procedure, patients with a large hole in the outer ring of the disc have a significantly higher risk of reherniation following surgery. Often, the surgeon won’t know the size of the hole until he or she begins surgery, and having a large hole in the outer ring of the disc more than doubles the risk of needing another operation. A new treatment, Barricaid, is a bone-anchored device that closes this hole, and 95 percent of Barricaid patients didn’t undergo a reoperation due to reherniation in a 2-year study timeframe. This treatment is done immediately following the discectomy—during the same operation—and doesn’t require any additional incisions or time in the hospital.
If you have any questions about the Barricaid treatment, ask your doctor or contact us at 844-288-7474.
For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions.
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