Sudden fall, an accidents, heavy lifting, poor posture and aging may cause back pains due to a disc injury. ‘Disc’ is a shortened term for invertebral disc which support the spine and allow back movements. When the discs are “slipped” from their normal position and range, herniation occurs. This condition produces debilitating back pain and unmanageable bowel movement. Herniated or slipped discs are common injuries, but they have high recovery rates. Degenerative disc disease is also an injury that concerns the disc and the spine, but it is commonly associated with aging rather with fall and accidents.
When proper treatment has been facilitated early on slipped disc and degenerative disc disease can be managed. Furthermore, recurrence of pain may be prevented and the patient may resume his daily routine without further problems.
What is a Disc?
A disc is flat round capsule that embraces the vertebrae. Each disc is made of annulus fibrosus, the thick hard membrane on the outer area of the disc. The soft, jelly-like material inside the disc is called nucleus pulposus.
Discs serve several functions. As a shock absorber, these discs keep the vertebrae in place and prevent them from rubbing one another. Discs also allow pivotal points so the back can move forward, backward and sideward.
What Happens When a Disc Injury Occurs
When a person has slipped disc, the discs on his spine may have moved out of their normal position. In severe cases, slipped disc also causes rupture or breakage of the outer membrane, resulting to the oozing of the elastic inner material which may alter nerve functions. Slipped disc may be caused by a direct blow to the disc due to a fall or accident. It can also be a result of the normal ageing process or poor posture when lifting objects.
On the other hand, degenerative disc disease is a condition that commonly happens over time and afflicts older people. As we age, our discs lose the suppleness and elasticity it once had in our youth. This results to rigidity and causes pain when the back is held in one position for a long period of time.
Symptoms of Disc Injury
Symptoms for both slipped disc and degenerative disc disease are only slightly different from one another. However, collectively, symptoms for disc injury include:
*Pain in the lower back. Most of the disc injuries involve the lower back and very rarely the upper back.
*Back pain when sitting or standing for a long period of time.
*Pain that radiates to the legs and the groin.
*Pain that worsens when you sneeze or cough
*Inability to control your bowel movement
*Feelings of numbness or “pin and needle” sensation on your back and legs
If you experience pain or difficulty urinating, having erectile problems and fever along with your back pain, please seek medical attention right away as these are considered a medical emergency.
Dealing With Disc Injury
The good thing about most disc injuries is that it heals on its own and rarely requires surgery. When you experience unusual and extreme back pain, see a doctor right away. Your healthcare provider will make a diagnosis of what type of injury it is based on physical examination, XRAY and MRI scan. Furthermore, your doctor may recommend you some pain-relieving drugs, or if the pain is severe, inject the affected disc with cortisone.
At home, you may rest but it is encouraged to resume physical activities as much as pain allows. A physiotherapist may also assist you with massages and back strengthening exercises. Total bed rest is believed to decrease recovery rate. You may get back to work but try to modify your activities and do not do anything that will put undue pressure to your spine.
It will also help if you observe proper posture when sitting down or lifting objects. If pain reoccurs you may take a rest and apply hot/cold compress to relax the back muscles help alleviate pain. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed but this is only reserved to very severe disc injuries.
While we can’t prevent the normal course of aging, we can prevent other risk factors that may result to disc injuries. Simple lifestyle modifications and being conscious with our back movements will help prevent future disc injuries.
stephen
