Treatment Options for Herniated Discs

Although a normal part of the aging process, degenerative spinal conditions like herniated disc can cause back and neck pain as well as other symptoms. If you have a herniated disc, you may be able to alleviate the symptoms through conservative care such as exercise, medication, or other nonsurgical options. If conservative care doesn't work, your doctor may suggest surgery as an alternative. Your surgery options may include artificial disc replacement, dynamic stabilisation, or spinal fusion.

Conservative Care

Not all patients with back and neck pain require surgery. In fact, the vast majority find symptom relief through non-surgical therapies such as exercise, medication, physiotherapy and chiropractic care.

Decompression Surgery

The surgical procedure most often done for cervical spinal stenosis is a cervical foraminotomy. The purpose of this procedure is to enlarge the space of the spinal canal to relieve compression on the spinal cord and symptoms such as tingling and weakness that are seen with spinal stenosis.

Artificial Disc Replacement

An artificial disc is designed to maintain motion and flexibility while replacing a diseased disc removed from the spine.
More: About Artificial Discs

Spinal Fusion Surgery

Traditionally, a surgical procedure called a spinal fusion has been used to treat degenerative conditions in the spine. Using bone grafts and instrumentation such as metal plates and screws, this procedure fuses two or more adjacent vertebrae. The procedure aims to stabilise the spine and provide pain relief.
More: About Spinal Fusion Surgery

Next: About Artificial Discs