What can be done for a herniated disc?

A herniated disc can cause severe pain and prevent you from doing daily tasks like standing, walking, or lifting objects. Pain management services can help you handle the condition’s symptoms and regain your normal quality of life. The physicians at St Louis Pain Consultants can diagnose herniated discs and provide a personalized treatment plan to relieve your pain.

Diagnosing a Herniated Disc

A herniated disc causes symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. The affected part of the spine can usually be determined by the areas where the symptoms are felt. A disc herniation in the neck can affect the shoulders, arms, and hands while a lower back disc herniation can cause pain in the buttock, thighs, calf, and feet.

A thorough assessment by a pain management doctor is important when diagnosing herniated discs. They assess patients’ medical histories and conduct physical examinations to guarantee a proper diagnosis. Oftentimes additional tests like X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and Electro-diagnostic (EMG) tests are ordered to accurately determine the source of pain and manage the condition more effectively. 

Managing a Herniated Disc 

At St. Louis Pain Consultants treatment options include:

Medications 

A pain management doctor can recommend pain medications and muscle relaxants to ease the pain and reduce muscle spasms in the affected areas. Our doctors have the necessary medical training and are experienced with various medications, so you can rest assured we’ll only prescribe the best choices. 

Physical Therapy 

Our pain management experts are certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and work closely with specialized therapists who can help reduce herniated disc pain to aid in restoring optimal body function. Physical therapy programs may include aerobic exercises, stretching exercises, and massages.

Epidural Steroid Injections 

This treatment involves a local injection of cortisone, a steroid that can ease pain and inflammation in affected areas.  Our pain management doctors use a Fluoroscope machine during this procedure to target the specific area of pain and assure the medication reaches the correct location. 

Spinal Cord Stimulation 

This treatment focuses on nerves which cause pain. It uses electrodes to send electrical impulses to the nerves to stimulate them. This blocks pain receptors from reaching the brain, giving herniated disc patients pain relief. 

A five to six-day trial period is conducted involving temporary leads before performing the permanent implant to determine if this treatment is the best option for our patients. If normal function and pain improvement is achieved during the trial period, then the permanent implant is performed. 

Radiofrequency Ablation – This is not a treatment for herniated disc

Finding Pain Management Services

The right pain management services can help you return to your active lifestyle after a herniated disc. They manage your condition using treatments like pain medications, physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, or spinal cord stimulation.

St Louis Pain Consultants can help ease pain, inflammation, and muscle weakness resulting from a herniated disc. Our team of pain management experts have advanced training to provide the best pain management treatments. Contact us today to get on the path to a pain-free life.