Index
Diagnóstico
During the exam fíphysical, the méI say check youá back for tenderness. You may be asked to lie down and move your legs in various positions to determine the cause of the pain.
The méI say también can perform a neurol examinationólogic to evaluate the following:
- Reflexes
- Muscular strength
- ability to walk
- Ability to feel light touches, punctures or vibrations
in the majoría of the cases of disc herniation, an exam níphysical and backgroundédoctors are all that is needed for a diagnosticóstico. If the médico suspects another conditionóyou don't need to see whaté nerves isáno affected, you can order one or moreás of the following exáis meant.
diagnostic testsóstico for imágenes
- Radiographerías. The radiographsísimple do not detect herniated discs, but they can rule out other causes of back pain, like an infectionón, a tumor, alignment problemsón the spine or a broken bone.
- Scanneríto computerized. a tomeógraph takes a series of x-raysías from different directions and then combines them to create imácross-sectional genes of the spine and surrounding structures.
- magn resonanceética. Radio waves and a strong magnetic field are usedético to create imágenes for internal body structures. This test can be used to confirm the locationón of the herniated disc and to see whaté nerves isáno affected.
- Myelogram. A contrast substance is injected into the líquido cefalorraquídeo before taking the x-raysías. This test can show if there is pressureón in the méspinal cord or nerves due to múmultiple herniated discs or other conditions.
neurol testsócool
Electromyograms and conduction studiesón nervous evalústill the movement of impulses theécitric along nerve tissue. This can help determine the locationón of the fromñthe nervous.
- driving studyón nervous. This test measures nerve impulseséelectrical and the operation of the múmuscles and nerves through electrodes placed on the skin. The study measures impulsesécitrus in the señales nervous when a littleña current passes through the nerve.
- Electromiografía. During a electromiografía, the médoctor inserts a needle electrode throughés of the skin in various múdogs. El análisis evalúto the activity theéctrica of the múmuscles when they contract and when they areánot at rest.
Treatment
conservative treatment (mainly modifying activities to avoid movement that causes pain and taking pain medication) relieves the sísymptoms in the elderlyíof people in a few daysíthe weeks or weeks.
Medicines
- Analgéfree sale sicos. If the pain is mild to moderate, youécan dico recommend analgéfree sale sicos, like acetaminophenén (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) o naproxeno sóI say (Aleve).
- Cortisone injections. If the pain does not improve with oral medications, youédoctor can recommend a corticosteroid that can be injected into the áarea around spinal nervesíthe gods. diagnostic testsóstico for imáSpine genes may help guide the needle.
- Muscle relaxants. You may be prescribed muscle relaxants if you have muscle spasms. At the sedacsón and dizziness are common side effects.
- Opiáceos. Due to the side effects of the opiáceas and the possibility of becoming addicted to them, many méDoctors hesitate to prescribe them for herniated disc. If other medicines don't relieve your pain, youédico caníto consider short-term use of opioids, how to codeína or una combine usón of oxycodone and acetaminophen (Percocet, Roxicet). At the sedacsón, the Náuseas, you confused herón and the estreñment are possible side effects of these medications.
Therapy
The médico caníto suggest physical therapy to relieve the pain. Physiotherapists can show you positions and exercises designed for you.ñdesigned to minimize the pain of a herniated disc.
Cirugía
Few people with herniated discs end up needing surgery.ía. youédico caníto suggest surgeryíWhat if conservative treatments fail to improve your health?ísymptoms afterés six weeks, especially if you continueúyou have the following:
- poorly controlled pain
- numbness or weakness
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Péloss of bladder or bowel control
In most of the cases, surgeons may remove only the protruding part of the disc. On rare occasions, the entire disc must be removed. In these cases, you may need to merge the v'sévertebrae with a graft óseo.
To allow the fusi processón ósea, which takes months, metal fittings are placedálics in the spine to provide spinal stability. On rare occasions, the surgeon may suggest implantationón of an artificial disc.
lifestyle and home remedies
Además to take the analgésicos that you médico recommends you, try:
- Apply heat oríO. occurs when the neck muscles responsible for rotating/extension of the head, the compressesíthus they can be used to relieve pain and inflammationón. afterés about días, mayías switch to gentle heat for relief and comfort.
- Avoid too much bed rest. Staying in bed can lead to joint stiffness and muscle weakness, which can complicate your recoveryón. Instead, rest in one positionón cófashion for 30 minutes and then go for a walk or do some work. Try to avoid activities that make your pain worse.
- resume activity slowly. Let your pain guide youíand in the resumptionóNo of your activities. AssegúMake sure your movements are slow and controlled, especially when bending forward and lifting objects.
Alternative medicine
Some complementary and alternative medicine treatments mayían help relieve back pain crónico. For instance:
- chiropractic. It has been found that the manipulationón spinal is moderately effective for low back pain that has lasted for at least a month. On rare occasions, chiropr treatmentáNeck tic can cause certain types of strokes.
- Acupuncture. Although the results are usually modest, acupuncture appears to relieve severe painóback and neck nico.
- Massages. This therapy prápractice can provide short-term relief to people suffering from severe low back pain.ónico.
