1. Prolapsed Disc Surgery

2. In most cases, prolapsed disc surgery is usually
reserved for individuals who have failed to respond
to all nonsurgical treatment options. With the
exception of rare emergency situations, a regimen
of conservative techniques is usually attempted for
several weeks or even months before the subject of
surgery is considered. That said, for a select
segment of the population, surgical intervention
represents the best option the patient has to
overcome their chronic pain once and for all.

3. The Spinal Anatomy
In the spine, adjacent vertebrae are cushioned and separated
by thick pads that are known as the intervertebral discs. These
discs allow the vertebrae to articulate against one another
comfortably and are instrumental in the regular movement
that we require from our backs and necks. However, as
resilient as the intervertebral discs are, they are still
susceptible to deterioration and damage. Each disc is made of
a thick, fibrous outer shell known as the annulus fibrosus and
a gelatinous nuclear material, which is called the nucleus
pulposus. A prolapsed disc refers to a situation where a tear
has developed in the annulus fibrosus, allowing the nucleus
pulposus to seep into the spinal column. Many people also
know this condition colloquially as a herniated disc, ruptured
disc, or slipped disc.

4. Why a Prolapsed Disc can Cause
Discomfort
While a prolapsed disc may seem like a serious
condition, it is actually quite common and many
people even experience a herniated disc without
knowing it. However, this condition can also lead
to a number of different symptoms depending
on the cause, severity, and location of the issue.
For starters, very small nerves innervate the disc
wall of the intervertebral disc. When these
nerves are irritated, they can lead to localized
pain in the back or the neck. Additionally, when
herniated disc material is allowed to enter the
spinal column, it may come in contact with the
spinal cord or any of the nerve roots in the
region, which can lead to nerve compression. It
is this compression that commonly leads to
chronic pain and other symptoms in the body.

5. Initial Treatment Options
If it is determined that you suffer from a prolapsed disc, surgery is usually the
last option. More commonly, a physician will work with you to develop a
carefully designed treatment regimen that is meant to alleviate the nerve
compression behind your discomfort. This can be attempted a number of
different ways, but the basic goals are to manage your pain in the short-term
while reducing strain on the spinal column and increasing your spinal flexibility.
There are all sorts of different conservative treatments that may be
recommended, depending on the prognosis, diagnosis, and the specific patient.
More often than not, some combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(either over-the-counter or prescription), low-impact exercise, stretching
techniques, hot/cold therapy, and other similar techniques will be
recommended to great effect. Some patients also will enlist complementary or
alternative medicines, such as deep tissue massage, acupuncture, and herbal
supplements to assist in their treatment, although these methods tend to be the
source of some controversy in the mainstream medical field.

6. Surgery
Should several weeks or months of nonsurgical treatments fail
to offer you the relief you require, prolapsed disc surgery may
be considered. The goal of this type of procedure is to reduce
the source of the nerve compression or irritation that is behind
your symptoms. Sometimes, this can be something as simple as
physically removing the herniated disc material from the spinal
column and sealing up the torn disc. In other cases, where the
intervertebral disc is severely deteriorated, it may need to be
removed entirely. When this is the case, the disc will need to be
replaced with a bone graft and stabilized with surgical
hardware. Fortunately, there are a number of different
prolapsed disc surgery options that are available, depending on
your specific circumstance. To learn more, research your
options and speak with spine specialists in your community.