Suggest Treatment For Herniated Disc Disease

Posted on Sun, 23 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 Answered on

Tue, 8 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Dr I need to ask you another. I know it is hard to answer in the internet, but IF it turns our that my issue is related to a herniated disc, does that mean that I will definitely have to have surgery? Obviously, Id like to avoid that. Can a herniation "resolve" or "get better" so as to avoid surgery?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Conservative treatment succeed in most cases.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.

Chances to be herniated disc are low, however, treatment about herniated disc disease is mainly conservative (few days rest, NSAID drugs, physical therapy with the aim of strengthening back muscles and reducing joint loading, and periradicular, or around nerve injections).

Around 80 % of herniated discs are treated definitely with these measures, only a small part that after 2-3 months of failed conservative treatment undergo surgery.

So, in my opinion, you are too far from surgery, one: because there may not be herniated disc at all, two: conservative treatment resolves most of herniated discs.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Take care.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar