Prolapsed Disc
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More than 3 million cases of prolapsed discs are diagnosed each year.
Back pain is a very common condition in the United States, with lower back pain being the single leading cause of disability across the globe. Half of all Americans say they have some level of back pain each year, and back pain continues to be the most common reason for missed work. Each and every year Americans spend at least $50 billion on back pain. While any disc in your spine can prolapse, most instances of prolapsed discs occur in the lower back. Twice as many men as women will develop a prolapsed disc, and the most common age to develop the condition is between 30 and 50.
A prolapsed disc—often referred to as a slipped disc—occurs when the inner soft part of the disc bulges through a weakness or crack in the hard, outer part of the disc. A prolapsed disc can press on nearby structures, such as a nerve from the spinal cord, causing extreme levels of pain. Over time, inflammation generally develops around the prolapsed disc, leading to more pain. The larger the prolapse in the disc, the worse the pain will typically be.
Causes of Prolapsed Discs
It is not entirely clear why some people will develop a prolapsed disc while others will not, even when they perform the same job, or lift the same heavy objects. Some of the risk factors for developing a prolapsed disc include:
- Participating in weight-bearing activities
- Smoking
- A job which involves a lot of driving, or sitting for prolonged periods of time
- A job which includes lots of lifting
- Increasing age
- Obesity
Symptoms and Diagnosis of a Prolapsed Disc
The symptoms of a prolapsed disc include:
- Lower back pain which comes on suddenly
- Severe pain, usually in the lower back
- Pain which worsens when you move your back
- Pain which worsens when you sneeze
Diagnosing a prolapsed disc involves your own reporting of your symptoms, as well as a doctor examination, x-rays, CT scans, and an MRI scan.
Treatments for Prolapsed Disc
At Seattle Pain, the experienced interventional pain management specialists will thoroughly evaluate the medical history of your prolapsed disc, developing a comprehensive pain treatment program to help you get back to your life. Avoiding surgery is our goal at Seattle Pain, and we will accomplish that goal with a combination of traditional and non-traditional treatments, including:
- NSAIDs
- Epidural steroid injections
- Prescription medications
Are you suffering from severe low back pain?
Contact Our Seattle Interventional Pain Management Specialists
We understand that lower back pain caused by prolapsed discs can completely derail your life. At Seattle Pain, our primary goal is to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life. We believe in treating the whole patient – and not just the injury. You do not have to live in pain.
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