Herniated Disk Disease

While the symptoms of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis both include cartilage loss, these conditions have several distinct differences.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that results in the thickening and inflammation of the affected joint. Chronic inflammation causes the cartilage loss that defines arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis only accounts for about 15 percent of all diagnosed arthritis cases.

 

Osteoarthritis, by far, accounts for the vast majority of arthritis diagnosis, and this progressive condition can affect anyone. In fact, if you are over 50, it’s highly likely your joints are developing symptoms of Osteoarthritis, even if you don’t feel any symptoms yet.

 

Osteoarthritis may be caused either by injury or simple wear and tear over time. As we use our joints, the cartilage that cushions our joints is worn down, causing our bones to scrape and rub. As more cartilage is worn away, it may be replaced by bone spurs or irregular cartilage growth. Both of these developments can lead to significant pain.

What is a herniated disc?

Individual spinal vertebrae join together to form the spinal column, which protects the spinal cord. Each vertebra is separated by a fibrocartilaginous disc that serves as a cushion and shock absorber for the spine. These discs allow the spine to twist and flex while keeping individual vertebrae from twisting, scraping together or locking up.

 

Picture a jelly donut. The outer layer is a fibrous ring, the annulus, which is similar to Kevlar. Inside the disc is a fibrous jelly-like substance, the pulposus. Over time, the annulus (outer layer) may be damaged, either by wear and tear or injury. When the tear in the annulus is large enough, some of the pulposus pushes through the outer wall. This protrusion – herniation – can press against spinal nerves, causing significant pain.

How do disc herniations form?

Herniated discs can form due to traumatic injury or wear and tear over time. When small tears appear in discs, the resulting scar tissue can weaken the outer wall of the disc, leading to more and larger tears. This is why the risk of developing herniated discs increases as we age.

 

Herniated disc symptoms can vary, depending on the location and severity of the disc rupture. Sometimes, there are no noticeable symptoms until the herniation results in additional injury. In fact, 28 percent of people over 40 already have a bulging disc.

 

Because symptoms of herniated disc disease can occur at any point along the spine and can also present as pain, numbness or weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms, buttocks and legs, patients may mistake disc herniation for a “sore back” or a “stiff neck.”

Symptoms of herniated discs include:

● Chronic or intermittent back pain
● Radiating pain in the arms, shoulders, neck, buttocks or legs
● Sharp pain or aches in the shoulder blades or neck
● Neck spasms
● Numbness, tingling or weakness in the back and limbs

Diagnosing and treating a herniated disc

To diagnose a herniated disc, Dr. Skaliy will conduct a physical examination to look for symptoms and test which areas may be affected. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI may also be necessary to make a proper diagnosis.

 

Treatment protocols will depend on the location and severity of the herniation. Smaller herniations can benefit from physical therapy, medication and rest. This conservative approach may relieve the pain, but it will not heal the actual herniation, meaning the injury could increase over time.

 

If the conservative approach is not effective, epidural steroid injections may be suggested. While successful in reducing pain, epidural steroids will not correct the underlying medical issue.

 

To truly heal a herniated disc, you must repair the annulus and rehydrate the pulposus. Dr. Skaliy currently offers two treatment protocols that have proven to not only relieve pain, but also repair damaged cells in the disc.