Disc Displacement

Disc displacement, also known as a slipped disc or herniated disc, occurs when a spinal disc becomes displaced from its original position and presses against the spinal nerves, resulting in pain and muscle weakness.

Symptoms of Disc Displacement
The typical symptoms of disc displacement include:

• Muscle weakness: Nerves that serve specific muscles may weaken, leading to difficulty holding or lifting objects, stumbling, or loss of balance.
• Tingling/numbness: The body part innervated by the affected nerves may experience a tingling or numb sensation.
• Pain in the leg/arm: If the displaced disc is in the lower back, the pain is primarily localized in the buttocks, calf, thigh, and may even extend to the foot. If the displaced disc is in the neck, the pain is felt mainly in the arm and shoulder. Coughing or sneezing can trigger shooting pain, as can certain movements that affect the spine.

Causes of Disc Displacement
The most common cause of disc displacement is normal aging and wear and tear of the spinal discs, known as disk degeneration. With age, the water content of the discs decreases, making them less flexible and more prone to rupture or tear.

Other risk factors for disc displacement include:

• Lifting heavy objects
• Excess body weight, placing extra stress on the discs in the lower back
• Genetic predisposition to disc displacement
• Engaging in physically demanding jobs involving heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, and sideways bending

Diagnosis and Treatment of Disc Displacement
There are various methods that doctors may use to diagnose disc displacement or a slipped disc. After obtaining your medical history to identify any recent triggers for the pain, your doctor will perform specific tests to make an accurate diagnosis.

These diagnostic tests may include:

• Physical examination: Your doctor may ask you to perform certain stretches and movements to assess your pain response and check for signs of nerve compression.
• Leg-raising test: While sitting or lying down, your doctor will gently raise each of your legs to evaluate for pain or discomfort that may indicate nerve involvement.
• If symptoms persist for approximately three months without improvement, further diagnostic tests such as MRI scans, CT scans, or X-rays may be ordered.

Treatment for disc displacement depends on the severity of symptoms and their impact on your daily routine. If your symptoms cause mild pain and discomfort, your doctor may recommend:

• Staying active: If the pain is tolerable, engaging in gentle exercises and stretches can help strengthen and promote healing.
• Taking painkillers: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can be taken regularly to manage pain and maintain mobility.

For more severe pain, your doctor may suggest:

• Short-term use of muscle relaxants
• Steroid injections
• Physical therapy

Surgery is considered the last resort if symptoms persist over an extended period, conservative treatments have failed, or if there is worsening numbness or muscle weakness.