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• Slipped Disc

What is a Slipped Disc?

It is not unreasonable to wonder, What is a slipped disc, and how is it different from a herniated disc? The answer is simple: they are the same thing. Slipped disc is a common alternate name for a herniated disc, a condition that has the potential for causing mild to severe pain and reduced flexibility and mobility.

Tough fibrous pads both unify and separate the individual vertebrae that comprise the spinal column. These pads, called intervertebral discs, diminish the shock of physical activity as it travels through the spine and allow the vertebrae to twist, bend, and compress one another without grinding bone or pinching muscle and nerves. As the body ages (or because of injury), wear and tear on these discs can weaken their construction and, ultimately, cause them to tear or rupture, a condition known as a slipped disc, herniated disc, or ruptured disc. This in turn allows the gelatinous substance inside the disc to leak into the crevices and canals of the spinal column, potentially pinching or compressing a nerve root and causing symptoms such as loss of fine motor control in the hands and arms, tingling or burning sensations in the torso or extremities, and pain.

Risk Factors of Slipped Discs

Degenerative disc disease—the gradual weakening of the outer structure of the disc due to aging—contributes to the likelihood of a slipped disc, as do incorrect body mechanics (i.e., lifting techniques). Certain lifestyle factors such as obesity and smoking increase one’s susceptibility to developing this condition, and people with jobs that require repetitive lifting, twisting, or bending—or even prolonged standing—are at greater risk, too.

Treatment Options

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Doctors will normally prescribe a conservative treatment plan including rest, pain medication, application of heat, and changes in activities. Typically, slipped disc patients tend to show improvements within a few months of beginning treatment. Some patients, however, suffer continually from severe, even debilitating pain and must consider surgery.

If you have been diagnosed with a slipped disc and a conservative treatment plan has not alleviated your symptoms, Laser Spine Institute (LSI) provides a minimally invasive option: laser-assisted outpatient procedures that have a proven track record in treating the symptoms of slipped discs without the risks and drawbacks of traditional open back surgery. To learn more about our revolutionary treatments, contact LSI today.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.