Comprehensive Treatment Options for Slipped Discs
At California Neurosurgical Institute, we prioritize providing the most effective, least invasive slipped disc treatment tailored to your individual needs. Here’s what you can expect from our treatment approach:
Initial Conservative Treatments
Most patients with a slipped disc can find relief through non-surgical methods.
- Rest: Allowing the spine to rest and recover by avoiding strenuous activities.
- Muscle Relaxants: Medications that help alleviate muscle spasms associated with a herniated disc.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription drugs that reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Ice and Heat Therapy: Alternating between ice packs and gentle heat to soothe the affected area.
- Physical Therapy: Tailored exercises and stretches to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, improve flexibility, and relieve pressure on the disc.
If the pain is severe and limits your ability to participate in physical therapy, our specialists can provide epidural steroid injections. These injections help to reduce inflammation and pain, making it easier for you to engage in therapeutic exercises.
Surgical Options for Slipped Discs
If conservative treatments fail to provide sufficient relief, California Neurosurgical Institute offers several advanced surgical procedures to address slipped discs. Our expert surgeons specialize in minimally invasive techniques that reduce recovery time and improve outcomes.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) This procedure involves making a small incision in the front of the neck to remove the damaged cervical disc. The surgeon then fuses the vertebrae above and below the removed disc, stabilizing the spine. When performed using minimally invasive techniques, ACDF can often be completed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return to your normal activities sooner.
Placement of Cervical Disk Prosthesis Similar to a discectomy, this procedure replaces the damaged disc with an artificial one rather than performing a fusion. The artificial disc allows for more natural movement of the spine, preserving the range of motion and reducing the likelihood of future spine surgeries. Research conducted by California Neurosurgical Institute doctors indicates that this technique has fewer complications than traditional fusion surgeries.
Corpectomy A corpectomy is recommended for patients with extensive spinal cord compression, where both bone and disc need to be replaced. California Neurosurgical Institute uses advanced, expandable devices to replace the affected bone, offering a more effective and comfortable alternative to older techniques that require bone grafts from the patient’s hip.
Laminectomy This procedure involves removing part of the lamina, the section of the vertebra that covers the spinal canal, to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. A laminectomy can effectively alleviate symptoms caused by a slipped disc that is compressing the spinal canal.
Posterior Fusion In posterior fusion, the surgeon accesses the spine from the back to fuse two or more vertebrae. This procedure helps stabilize the spine and relieve pain associated with a slipped disc.
