Slipped Disc: Causes, Symptoms, Risk & Treatment?

By Dr. Mihir Bapat in Institute for Bone, Joint Replacement, Orthopaedics Spine and Sports Medicine , Spine Surgery Unit

Apr 24 , 2023 | 3 min read

You can visit the best spine surgery hospital in Mumbai for accurate diagnosis and the best treatment for slip discs. Following diagnostic procedures are required for the people who have the symptoms of slipped disc present in them:

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging: In this method, the imaging of the spinal cord, nerve roots, intervertebral discs, and ligaments are done.

Electromyography (EMG): In this method, the electrical activity of a nerve root is tested which helps in determining the cause of pain

Herniated Disc/Slipped Disc Treatments

The majority of the slipped disk can be managed by rest, medications, and epidural injections and there is not any requirement for surgery. The injured disk heals over three to four weeks with complete bed rest as it reduces the amount of stress on the injured disc. When the pain reaches tolerable limits then resuming normal physical activities and exercise is necessary.

Surgical Treatments for Slipped Disc

The surgical treatment for a herniated disc is based on the following:

The history and the severity of the pain of the patient and also its duration
How effective were the previous treatments if the patient has received any before
Is there any evidence of any sort of neurologic damage such as sensory loss, weakness, impaired coordination, or bowel or bladder problems?

If the patient does not get any relief from non-operative treatments over a period of six to twelve weeks then only surgery is recommended by the spine doctors. Surgery is also recommended in the case of patients having a neurologic deficit like numbness, weakness, or reduced function due to pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. In order to maximize the likelihood of neurologic recovery, early intervention is the best.

How Will be the Surgery Done?

Microdiscectomy: This is keyhole surgery and is minimally invasive.

In this procedure, a microscope and a microsurgical tool are used to remove that portion of the nerve which is pressing against the nerve. The procedure aims at removing the loose fragments which are enough for freeing the nerve and causing a relief of the pain. The healing of the annulus happens naturally thus applying normal activity. A small skin incision is made over the spine and the procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Long is The Hospital Stay?

It is usually one day.

2. What is The Duration of The Bed Rest?

There is no need for any bed rest the patient is made to walk on the same day and also discharged on the very next day.

3.Can The Problem Reoccur?

The surgery aims at controlling the pain through a keyhole incision. However, the spine is not weakened or strengthened through the procedure.

4. Is The Procedure Safe?

This procedure is quite safe and you can restore to normal activities. There are very minimal chances of nerve injury because of the use of a microscope. The complication rate can be just 1% or even less.

5. Can The Patient Get Back to Normal Life After The Surgery?

The surgery of the disc does not refrain you from pursuing normal activities. However, maintenance of the spine is required like any other machine. The body weight should be kept in check along with regular core strengthening exercises.

Nanavati Max is the best hospital in Mumbai that you can blindly trust for all your spine-related problems.

Reviewed By

Dr. Mihir Bapat (Director & Sr Consultant of Spine Surgery)

Dr. Mihir Bapat is a Director & Sr Consultant at Nanavati Max Institute of Spine Surgery with experience spanning over 25 years. He has performed over 8000 successful spine surgeries and had been awarded numerous accolades for his contribution in the field. He specializes in Column traumatology, Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Compression Fracture, and Complex Spinal Deformity Correction.