What is Disc Herniation?
Disc herniation — also called herniated disc, slip disc, or disc prolapse — is one of the most common spine problems. It is a condition where the disc between two vertebrae comes out of its normal position and irritates the adjacent spinal nerves.
Symptoms of Disc Herniation
The symptoms depend on the location of the herniation: In the lower back (lumbar disc herniation): • Sciatica — shooting pain that travels from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg • Weakness in leg muscles • Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot • In severe cases: loss of bladder or bowel control (emergency!) In the neck (cervical disc herniation): • Pain radiating into the arms and hands • Weakness of arm or hand muscles • Numbness and tingling in fingers • In severe cases: imbalance while walking (myelopathy)
Non-Surgical Treatment
Most patients with disc herniation improve with non-surgical treatment: • Rest — avoiding activities that worsen symptoms • Pain medications and anti-inflammatories • Supervised physiotherapy — stretching and core strengthening • Epidural steroid injections in selected cases Approximately 80–90% of patients improve significantly within 6–12 weeks of conservative treatment.
Surgical Treatment: Microdiscectomy
Surgery is recommended when: • Non-surgical treatment fails after 6–12 weeks • There is progressive neurological weakness • There is loss of bladder or bowel control (emergency) The microdiscectomy procedure: • Fingernail-size incision on lower back • Microscope-assisted removal of herniated disc fragment • Spinal nerve decompression • Duration: 45 minutes • Patients walk the same day • Discharge: Same day or next day • Return to office work: Within 1 week Dr. Kardile and the Pune Spine team have performed over 1000 microdiscectomies with excellent outcomes.
About the Author
Dr. Mayur Kardile
Spine Surgeon, MS Ortho, DNB — Fellowship, Kaiser Permanente, California
Dr. Mayur Kardile is a United States trained spine surgeon and Director of Pune Spine Institute. Over 1000 microdiscectomies performed with excellent outcomes.