A pinched nerve can be caused by a bulging disc and the result can be pain, tingling, numbness, burning and even a stabbing sensation. This occurs when an intervertebral disc bulges, or protrudes, outside its normal space in the spinal column and pinches the spinal nerve roots. The pain and discomfort caused by this condition may be localized at the site of the pinched nerve or it can radiate to other parts of the body, including the arms, shoulders, fingers, hips, buttocks, legs, and toes.
To alleviate this pain, several bulging disc treatments may be recommended by your doctor and these treatments will vary depending on the severity of your condition. They also might vary depending on whether you have a cervical bulging disc (in the neck), thoracic bulging disc (in the mid-back), or lumbar bulging disc (in the lower back).
Treatments for a pinched nerve caused by a bulging disc may include:
- Rest
- Physical therapy for bulging discs
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain and anti-inflammatory medications
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
Sometimes, pain from a pinched nerve in the spinal column becomes so severe that a doctor may recommend treating a bulging disc with open-back surgery. Some patients, however, are concerned that traditional bulging disc surgery involves hospitalization, infection risk, general anesthesia, and a long recovery period.
If you want to avoid open-back surgery, there is an alternative. The medical experts at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) may be able to help relieve or do away with your pinched nerve pain by treating your bulging disc with one of our minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. For more detailed information, contact LSI for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.
