When will I get better?
It can take several weeks or even months until a herniated disc heals completely. It is important to start early pain therapy and exercise therapy without further stressing the spine. If the spinal column and back muscles are not strengthened afterwards, it can also lead to repeated slipped discs. Prophylaxis should therefore be taken seriously. In some cases, chronic pain may occur, some of which may not disappear completely after an operation.
Causes of a slipped disc
The intervertebral disc consists of a fibrous outer ring, the annulus fibrosus, and a gelatinous core, the nucleus pulposus. This nucleus or parts of it protrude into the spinal canal. In general, the intervertebral disc assumes a buffer function between the vertebral bodies.
A herniated disc can be caused on the one hand by wear and tear processes of the intervertebral discs and on the other hand by accidents (trauma). The vascular supply of the intervertebral discs decreases with the age of 20. As a result, the structure of the outer ring of the intervertebral disc changes and becomes more susceptible to injuries.
If a recurring load is applied, such as carrying heavy loads, the outer ring can form cracks. Since the blood supply is reduced, the tears can only heal poorly. If a renewed load is applied, parts of the inner core of the intervertebral disc may leak through the cracks.
In addition to a high mechanical load, overweight and an unhealthy or unbalanced diet promote a slipped disc. The mechanism in a traumatic herniated disc is the same, except that immediately after the force is applied, a tear in the outer ring develops and disc material emerges. A herniated disc can also be provoked by high-performance sports. Further information on this topic can be found here: Causes of a herniated disc
How is a slipped disc diagnosed?
If the doctor makes the diagnosis of a herniated disc, an interview will be conducted by the doctor beforehand. Here, information such as the onset and course of symptoms and whether a triggering event is memorable, are important. The exact localization of the pain, whether it radiates and whether there are other symptoms, such as tingling or numbness, should also be asked.
Then the body is examined: Inspection of posture and the spine are important. Feeling and tapping of the spine and the affected region should also be carried out. The examination of nerve and muscle function should also be carried out.
If there is no indication of a serious course (e.g. loss of sensation, muscle paralysis, bladder dysfunction), imaging is not necessarily required. If there is a suspicion of a serious course of the disease or if the symptoms persist for a long time, imaging by means of MRT, X-ray or CT is appropriate. If you are more interested in this topic, the intervertebral discs generally appear as dark grey structures on an MRI, while the vertebral bodies take on a lighter shade of grey. In the T2 MRI setting, disc wear (disc degeneration) appears as a dark structure due to water loss in the intervertebral discs. If there is a herniated disc, one can see the emergence of the disc material – also as a dark grey structure – into the spinal canal.
