What is mild disc protrusion?

What is mild disc protrusion?

Disc protrusion is a type of spinal disc herniation. Disc herniation is a common form of intervertebral disc damage that’s caused by age, natural wear and tear, traumatic accidents (falls, car accidents, sports collisions), overuse or repetitive use injuries, obesity and genetics.

How do you treat a disc protrusion?

Nonsurgical treatment may include:

1. Rest. One to 2 days of bed rest will usually help relieve back and leg pain.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain.
3. Physical therapy.
4. Epidural steroid injection.

Can a disc protrusion heal itself?

Usually a herniated disc will heal on its own over time. Be patient, and keep following your treatment plan. If your symptoms don’t get better in a few months, you may want to talk to your doctor about surgery.

Can a protruding disc be fixed?

As with bulging discs, there is a spectrum of options to treat herniated discs. If you’ve experienced symptoms for less than 6 weeks and have no nerve damage, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections (if needed) can help resolve the issue in 6 to 12 weeks.

Is disc protrusion common?

Every year, up to 2% of people get a herniated disk. Herniated disks are a leading cause of neck and/or arm, and back and/or leg pain (sciatica). They can happen anywhere along the spine, but herniated disks most often occur in the lower back or the neck. It’s rare for a herniated disk to be in the mid-back.

How long does a disc protrusion take to heal?

The average amount of time it takes for a herniated disk to heal is four to six weeks, but it can get better within a few days depending on how severe the herniation was and where it occurred. The biggest factor in healing a herniated disk is time, because most often it will resolve on its own.

Is a disc protrusion vs herniation?

But in some cases, the nucleus pushes completely through the annulus and squeezes out of the disc. This is called a disc herniation or protrusion. Herniation and protrusion are two words for the same thing. If a piece of the disc breaks off, it’s called a sequestered fragment.

How long does it take for a disc protrusion to heal?

How do you fix a mild bulged disc?

Home care. Over-the-counter pain relief may relieve mild pain due to a bulging disk. Physical therapy and exercises may help a person strengthen the muscles around the disk and improve mobility. A doctor or physical therapist can help determine safe exercises for a person, depending on the bulging disk’s position.

Is walking good for a bulging disc?

Absolutely. Walking is an excellent choice for patients with herniated discs, as it stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the cells. It also helps keep your discs hydrated, which is important for healing. Other low-impact aerobic activities to try are swimming and cycling.

What causes disk protrusion?

The most common cause of disc protrusion is wear and tear over time. As we age, spinal discs become drier, less flexible, compressed, and more prone to tears and injuries. The supportive ligaments begin to loosen and weaken, causing the disc to bulge outward as the nucleus material presses against the outer ring.

What are the symptoms of a disc protrusion?

Symptoms of a disc protrusion include: Pain caused by movement Tenderness Numbness or tingling Weakness down the leg Changes in bowel or bladder function Changes in reflexes

What kind of surgery do you need for a disc protrusion?

If this is your situation, your doctor may recommend spine surgery as the next step in your disc protrusion treatment. There are two main types of surgery available to treat a disc protrusion: traditional open spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery.

How big is a diffusive protrusion on a disc?

Diffusive protrusion of intervertebral discs For this type of pathology is characterized by uneven and repeated prominence of the disc of any of the spine. Diffuse protrusion indicates that the disk is damaged by 25-50% – this is quite a strong protrusion. The forecast for such damage depends on its size and direction of formation.

What to do if you have a L5 S1 disc protrusion?

Depending on the pain level of your L5 S1, a number of treatment options can give you some (at least temporary) relief: Physiotherapy—Physiotherapists can help you stretch and strengthen muscles in your back. This can stabilize your back and lessen the pressure (and thus, the pain).