Herniated disk pack pain?

are there treatments for herniated disk?

what are the best treatments, and what is the future hold for herniated disk?

First - a neurological exam is critical because the timing of other treatments is determined by the patient's condition. E.g. if the muscle is really weak or the foot is unable to pick up, then early removal of the pressure from the nerve is indicated to prevent permanent damage.

Second - an MRI (or myelogram if the patient can't have an MRI) to confirm the diagnosis.

Third - conservative care (unless there is severe weakness, etc.). This includes rest, anti-inflammatory pills, pain medicine at first. Then, if not successful, perhaps steroid injections and physical therapy.

If conservative care doesn't help, surgery can be considered. Surgery to remove the herniated part of the disc is an outpatient procedure and has an excellent success rate.

Coming down the road are things like replacement parts of the inner core of the disc, injections to replace disc components and artificial discs are already here for the low back.

surgery is the best remedy

Rest is the mainstay. If you are young enough go for pin hole surgery at a good centre.

Surgery is a last resort. I'd hold off on it until you try physical therapy and/or steriod injections. In fact any good surgeon won't touch you until you've tried those things.

Over time, your disks will probably begin to fuse together, which will decrease pain, but also decrease flexability. Small price to pay.

Walking is one of the very best things you can do, even when you are in "acute" pain.

Regarding physical therapy - therapists will almost always try to fit you into the same mold as every other back patient. You are unique, as is your problem and your pain. You will have to be proactive in designing a routine for yourself, using what you've learned from them.

Depends on the degree of herniation. If it is very severe - to the point of causing constant numbness or damage in the affected nerve path then surgery is required before permanent damage occurs.

However - luckily, most herniated discs are not that severe - and for lesser degrees of herniation surgery can end up being more of a problem than the original disc issue. So - anti-inflammatory drugs to help reduce the herniation and control pain are great. I've found ibuprofen to be a kind of wonder drug for this type of problem (I have herniated C5-6 in the past). Physical therapy to help increase strength and flexibility are also very important. My dad - who has myriad back problems - swears by acupuncture.

Finally - and very important - is to figure out how the disc got to the point of hernation in the first place - and figure out how to avoid repeating the injury. Good lifting technique is vital if the herniation came from a lifting injury - etc...

Herniation can resolve itself over time - my experience was about six months between injury and complete recovery with no more pain and numbness at all. I am very careful, though, now to not re-injure it.

Good luck!