Torn Disc
A torn disc is a condition where the outer layer of intervertebral discs has been ripped apart and is exposing the jelly-like interior of the vertebrae. This causes pressure on the nerves and spinal column, creating a painful sensation that can be felt throughout the body.
Torn discs are also known as herniated, ruptured, or slipped discs. Other characteristics of torn discs include chronic pain, radiating tingling sensations in certain areas, and general ability to treat it without surgery.
Torn Disc Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of torn discs include the following:
- Pain in the neck or back
- Numbness
- Tingling sensation
- Muscle cramping
- Spasms
Most people with torn discs will usually experience localized pain in a concentrated area of the back. But in other cases, particularly when there is a tingling sensation, pain can radiate through nerve paths and spread throughout the body.
In some cases, people may not even experience pain at all. Although asymptomatic situations can occur, it is not an indication that the torn disc is any less serious, but rather that the symptoms could simply be delayed. Regular MRI and imaging testing can pinpoint serious issues that should be addressed through treatment.
How is a Torn Disc Diagnosed?
Once a patient suspects a torn disc may be the cause of their back pain, a visit to the physician is needed. From there, they may recommend doing an MRI, CT Scan, or X-ray to confirm that a torn disc is the cause of your back or neck pain.
Other factors, such as age or past trauma, may contribute to a doctor’s decision to confirm a diagnosis. For the most part, torn discs are a natural cause of old age and degeneration of the spinal vertebrae. For younger people who end up diagnosed with a torn disc, traumatic or sudden injuries are the more likely causes of back pain.
In any case, a certified physician, imaging specialist, and physical therapist should all be consulted to receive a confirmed diagnosis and recommendations for treatment.
Torn Disc Treatment
Depending on the severity of the torn disc, various treatment methods exist to help alleviate symptoms. In many cases, a torn disc can be treated at home through simple techniques such as heat and cold therapy, stretching, and exercise.
Other treatment alternatives include massage therapy and acupuncture. Anti-inflammatory medication is also sometimes prescribed to reduce the strength of chemical mediators that cause the painful swelling to extend from the torn disc. In order to prevent further injury, treatment should not be undergone without the approval or supervision of a qualified physician or physical therapist.
For urgent cases involving a torn disc, surgery can be considered as a last resort. There are several surgical options that can be explored, including discectomy, laminectomy, or even an artificial disc replacement, which is mostly used in the case of degenerated discs.