Herniated Disc Specialist

If you have neck, leg, or back pain, it could be a herniated disc. At Alliance Spine Associates, LLC in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, the premier pain management specialists have extensive skills in treating herniated discs. They offer solutions ranging from minimally invasive procedures to specialized spine surgery. Set up your appointment by calling the office or booking online today. 

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc is an injury to one of the round cushions between your vertebrae (the spinal bones). Your discs work like pads to absorb shock and allow your spine to bend.

Disc herniation happens when a crack develops in the disc’s outer layer. The gel-like material inside the disc leaks out. The material can put pressure on parts of your spinal column that it doesn’t normally touch, like your spinal nerves.

A herniated disc usually happens in your neck (the cervical spine) or the lower back (the lumbar spine). Disc herniation can occur in the middle and upper back (the thoracic spine) but far less often.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

A herniated disc causes disruptive problems like:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Lower back pain that radiates down the leg (sciatica)
• Neck pain that shoots down the arm (cervical radiculopathy)
• Tingling, usually in an arm or leg
• Numbness, usually in an arm or leg
• Muscle weakness 

Herniated disc symptoms are often more severe when you move your neck or twist your back.

How is a herniated disc diagnosed?

The Alliance Spine Associates, LLC team reviews your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. They complete a thorough exam of your spine.

If the team suspects a herniated disc is causing your problems, they’ll most likely order diagnostic imaging studies such as (MRI, X-ray, or CT scan) to rule out other problems and verify a disc problem.

You might also need a diagnostic test like an electromyogram (EMG), in which tiny needles assess nerve and muscle health. This test can verify which nerves are affected and rule out muscle problems.

How are herniated discs treated?

A herniated disc can be painful, so pain-relieving injections are often highly effective. For example, an epidural steroid injection relieves pain immediately with an anesthetic. It also contains a long-lasting steroid to ease your pain for a few months.

If you have a large herniated disc or particularly severe pain that doesn’t improve with conservative and minimally invasive treatments, the Alliance Spine Associates, LLC team may recommend surgery, like minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD), to ease pressure on your painful nerve.

Alliance Spine Associates, LLC offers effective treatments for herniated discs, so there’s no need to wait for pain relief. Call the office or book online today.