Back pain is a problem for a lot of people. They go to see a doctor because their back hurts. Sometimes it is just because they pulled a muscle or they sit in a position. A slipped disc is a common reason for really bad back pain that goes down to the legs. When people hear about a disc they think they will need surgery. That is not usually the case.
The good thing is that most people get better without surgery. Surgery is for people who have a lot of pain or nerve damage that will not go away. If people understand when they really need surgery, they can make choices.
Understanding a Slipped Disc
The spine is made up of bones with discs in between. These discs help absorb shock and let us move. When the outside of a disc gets weak or tears the soft inside can come out. Push on the nerves. This is called a disc.
Some common problems with a slipped disc are:
- Pain in the back or neck that does not go away
- Pain that goes down to the leg
- Feeling numb or tingling
- Muscles feel weak
- It is hard to walk or stand for a time
Most slipped discs happen in the lower back, especially at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels
How Common Is It?
Back pain is a health problem all around the world.
- A lot of people, 619 million, had back pain in 2020. This makes it the biggest reason people cannot work.
- This number will probably go up to 843 million by 2050 because people are getting older and they do not move enough.
- Most of the time back pain is not caused by something seriously wrong.
- Slipped discs are not the reason for lower back pain. They only cause a percentage of the problems.
Does Every Slipped Disc Need Surgery?
No it does not. Research shows that most people with a slipped disc get better without surgery. They usually feel better in weeks or months. At first treatment usually includes
- Medicine to help with pain
- Medicine to reduce swelling
- Physiotherapy
- Exercises to help
- Changing what you do every day
- Making lifestyle changes like losing weight and sitting up straight
The body can heal itself, and the swelling around the nerve can go down. Sometimes the herniated disc even gets smaller over time.
When Should Surgery Be Considered?
Surgery is an option when the problems are really bad and affect your life or when there is nerve damage. Your spine doctor may say you need surgery if:
- You Have Bad Leg Pain- If you have pain that goes down your leg and it does not get better with treatment you might need surgery.
- Your Muscles Get Weaker- If you have trouble lifting your foot or climbing stairs and it gets worse you should see a doctor.
- You Lose Control of Your Bladder or Bowel- This is a problem that needs to be treated right away.
- Your Life Is Really Affected- If you cannot sleep, walk, work or do what you need to do because of the pain surgery might help.
What Does Surgery Involve?
The common surgery is **Microdiscectomy**. This is an operation where the doctor removes the part of the disc that is pushing on the nerve.
This kind of surgery is better than the way because:
- The cut is smaller
- You lose blood
- You have pain after
- You can go home from the hospital sooner
- You can get back to normal faster
For some people this surgery can really help with the pain. Make it easier to move around.
Making the Right Decision
You should not decide to have surgery because of what an MRI shows. A lot of people have Disc bulges that do not hurt them. You should make decisions based on how you feel what the doctor finds and what you need to do every day. A spine specialist can help you figure out if you need surgery or not.
The Takeaway
A slipped disc can hurt. It does not mean you need surgery. Most people get better with medicine, physiotherapy and exercise. Surgery is usually for people who have really bad nerve damage or problems that affect their life. If you see a doctor early and get the treatment, you can feel better and get back to your normal life.
