Herniated Disc

Herniated discs are among the most common causes of back and neck pain, affecting up to 2% of Americans each year. At his practice in Dallas and Carrollton, Texas, double board-certified pain management specialist Mohammed Shaikh, MD, and his team offer minimally invasive treatments for herniated discs and personalized recommendations to restore your mobility. Call today to receive treatment for a herniated disc, or make your appointment online.

What is a herniated disc?

Your spine has a series of bones (vertebrae) that stretch from your waist to the base of your skull. Between each vertebra are soft, squishy intervertebral discs. These discs cushion your bones and enable you to easily bend and move. 

If one of your intervertebral discs tears because of trauma or general wear-and-tear, the soft inner material bulges outward (herniates), placing pressure on a nerve or nerves. Without treatment, a herniated disc can cause pain and mobility problems.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Numbness
• Pain that increases when bending or turning your head
• Pain near or between your shoulder blades

As the condition worsens, you may have trouble standing up, walking, or performing other routine tasks. 

Should I see a doctor about a herniated disc?

Make an appointment with Dr. Shaikh and his team if you have back or neck pain that interferes with your daily life. That’s particularly true if the pain lasts for longer than a month, occurs alongside tingling or numbness, or affects your ability to control your bladder or bowels.

How is a herniated disc diagnosed?

Dr. Shaikh reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes an exam. He checks your back and neck for redness, bruising, and swelling. He gently presses your skin to identify sensitive spots and tests your reflexes, ability to feel sensations, and muscle strength.

Next, he orders a discogram or an MRI to take detailed photos of your intervertebral discs, images that help Dr. Shaikh determine the best type of treatment.

How is a herniated disc treated?

Dr. Shaikh and his team treat herniated discs with an integrative and minimally invasive approach. They may recommend:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Selective nerve root blocks
• Percutaneous discectomy 
• Minimally invasive interspinous spacers
• Indirect decompression

Depending on the location and severity of the disc herniation, you may benefit from a combination of the above treatments.

Call the office near you today to receive treatment for a herniated disc, or book your appointment online.