Herniated Disk

• Non-prescription analgesics. Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.), or naproxen sodium (Aleve), if your pain is mild to moderate.

• Neuropathic medications. These medications lessen pain by interfering with nerve impulses. These consist of venlafaxine (Effexor XR), pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle), and gabapentin (Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin).

• Muscle relaxants. If you experience muscle spasms, you may be prescribed these. Dizziness and sedation are frequent adverse effects.

• Many clinicians are hesitant to administer opioids for disk herniation due to their risk for addiction and negative effects. Your doctor may recommend the short-term use of opioids, such as codeine or an oxycodone-acetaminophen combination, if other medications are ineffective in treating your pain. These medications may cause sedation, nausea, disorientation, and constipation as adverse effects.

Cortisone injections. Your doctor may prescribe an injection of corticosteroid to the region surrounding the spinal nerves if the pain doesn’t go better with oral drugs. Needle guidance with xray (fluoroscopy) is used.

If you’re in pain, your doctor might advise physical therapy. Your physical therapist can demonstrate postures and exercises that are intended to reduce herniated disk pain.

Very few ruptured disk patients need surgery. If six weeks have passed and conservative therapy are still not relieving your symptoms, particularly if you continue to have:

• Ineffectively managed pain
• Weakness or numbness
• Trouble walking or standing
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Surgeons can usually remove only the piece of the disk that protrudes. It rarely needs to be removed in its entirety. In certain situations, a bone graft may be required to fuse the vertebrae.

In order to give spinal stability during the months-long process of bone fusion, metal hardware is inserted into the spine. In rare instances, your surgeon may recommend implanting a prosthetic disk.