You pick up a large box without bending at the knees, and suddenly, you experience excruciating pain, numbness and tingling. You may have a herniated dis, sometimes called a slipped disk. These discs are soft pads between the spinal bones in your back and neck, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. They serve as shock absorbers that allow your neck and back to move in every direction. If you develop a disc problem, you have several options for repairing it.
Step 1
Talk with a surgeon about chemonucleolysis. This procedure involves using a large needle to inject chymopapain (a chemical found in papaya plants) into a herniated disc, according to the Mayo Clinic. Chymopapain destroys the affected disc and relieves your back pain.
Step 2
Another option is endoscopic disketomy surgery, also known as percutaneous arthroscopic diskectomy surgery. A surgeon inserts a small tube into your back. The Mayo Clinic says the doctor can then thread a camera, suction device or forceps through the tube to remove parts of your protruding disc.
Step 3
In another disketomy surgery, a surgeon makes a cut into the patient's back and removes parts of the protruding disc or any pieces that might have broken.
Step 4
Another remedy is microdisketomy surgery, which is much like disketomy surgery. However, a smaller cut is made in your back. The Mayo Clinic says this is the most common surgery for herniated disc repair.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure to pursue a rehabilitation program after surgery. Physical therapists will help you strengthen and stretch your back or neck muscles. Ask your doctor what exercises are safe.
- Contact your doctor if you notice any bleeding, fluid or signs of infection (redness, swelling and oozing pus).
