Herniated Disc Treatment
Orange County
Some people are lucky and experience little to no pain from a herniated disc, but others are left with severe pain and numbness. If you are dealing with pain of disc herniation, Coast Spine and Sports Medicine can help with tailored treatments in Orange County, Los Angeles County and Inland Empire.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc happens when a tear forms in the harder outer layer of a spinal disc, which allows the softer interior of the disc to bulge out. In some cases, the outer layer of the disc does not tear but weakens, allowing the interior portion to bulge under the pressure. While some people experience no pain from a herniated disc, it can cause severe and chronic pain, especially when the bulging disc compresses a nearby nerve.
A herniated disc can cause a range of symptoms such as:
- Sciatica
- Numbness, burning, or tingling
- Moderate to severe pain of the neck or lower back that radiates to the arms, shoulders, buttocks, and/or legs
- Pain on one or both sides of the body
How Much Does Herniated Disc Treatment Cost in Santa Ana?
The cost of treatment for a herniated disc in Los Angeles depends on many factors, including the severity of the herniation, how many discs are affected, and the severity of your symptoms. During your initial appointment at Coast Spine and Sports Medicine, we will develop a tailored treatment plan to treat your pain and go over the cost of your treatment. We accept most forms of insurance as well as financing through CareCredit®.
What Causes a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc can be caused by a wide range of conditions or injuries. Also known as a slipped or bulging disc, this condition can also happen with age, as spinal discs naturally degenerate with wear and tear and loss of moisture. As the discs degenerate over time, even a minor twisting movement or mild injury can cause a rupture. In most cases, the cause of a herniated disc can’t be pinpointed but it may be the result of lifting heavy, large objects; twisting or turning while lifting; or suffering a blow to the back.
What Herniated Disc Treatments Do You Offer?
There are many treatment options that may ease the symptoms of a slipped disc in Los Angeles. Treatment begins with the most conservative options first, including over-the-counter pain medication and physical therapy. If your pain does not get better, muscle relaxers and narcotics may help in the short time.
Epidural steroid injections can offer temporary, significant pain relief for a herniated disc. This treatment works by injecting steroids and sometimes local anesthetic around the herniated disc or compressed nerves to ease inflammation and temporarily stop nerves from sending pain signals.
While surgery is typically not needed to treat a herniated disc, it’s sometimes warranted. Surgery may be advised if your pain hasn’t been improved by conservative measures within six weeks, particularly if you have more troubling symptoms like difficulty walking or standing, weakness of affected limbs, or loss of bladder function.
Discectomy can be performed to remove a herniated disc in the spine using a minimally invasive technique. If a disc is removed, spinal fusion will be performed afterward to fuse the adjacent vertebrae together into a solid piece of bone.
You don’t need to accept the pain of a herniated disc as a normal part of aging. Coast Spine and Sports Medicine serves men and women in Los Angeles County and Orange County, including Santa Ana and Rancho Cucamonga, with tailored treatments designed to significantly ease pain and improve quality of life. Contact us today to schedule your initial appointment.