Is a bulging disc serious?

Is it serious? Bulging disks increase the likelihood of a herniated disk, which can be painful, affect mobility, and limit a person’s daily functioning and quality of life. Bulging disks can also lead to weakness or numbness in the legs and poor bladder control.

What is asymmetric disc?

Disc protrusions are asymmetrical disc bulges that usually affect one side of the disc, with the possibility (but not always) of compressing nerve tissue.

What is disc bulge symptoms?

Symptoms

• Arm or leg pain. If your herniated disk is in your lower back, you’ll typically feel the most pain in your buttocks, thigh and calf.
• Numbness or tingling. People who have a herniated disk often have radiating numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.
• Weakness.

How do you treat a diffuse disc bulge?

If rest, pain relievers, and physical therapy don’t help with your pain, your doctor can inject a steroid medicine into the space around your spinal nerve. This is called an epidural injection. The steroid can help bring down the swelling, help you move more easily, and ease pain from a herniated disk.

Can you massage a bulging disc back into place?

Deep Tissue Massage: There are more than 100 types of massage, but deep tissue massage is an ideal option if you have a herniated disc because it uses a great deal of pressure to relieve deep muscle tension and spasms, which develop to prevent muscle motion at the affected area.

Are disc bulges normal?

This can cause anxiety for patients who worry they are developing a serious spinal problem. However, studies have shown over and over, that disc bulges are incredibly common, and can be seen on MRIs of people without back pain or spine problems.

Does a disc protrusion require surgery?

When & How to Seek Medical Care. Fortunately, the majority of herniated discs do not require surgery. With time, the symptoms of sciatica/radiculopathy improve in approximately 9 out of 10 people. The time to improve varies, ranging from a few days to a few weeks.

Is L4 L5 disc bulge serious?

Disc problems. The L4-L5 disc is at a high risk of degeneration. This risk may be due to increased loads at the L4-L5 motion segment and decreased movement in the segments below this level. A change in disc height due to degeneration may affect the lordosis of the lumbar spine.

Can disc bulge be cured?

Although medicine doesn’t cure a herniated disc, it may reduce inflammation and pain and allow you to begin an exercise program that can strengthen your stomach and back muscles.

Can you fully recover from a bulging disc?

Self care: In most cases, the pain from a herniated disc will get better within a couple days and completely resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Restricting your activity, ice/heat therapy, and taking over the counter medications will help your recovery.

What are the main causes for an asymmetric disc bulge?

Common bulging disc causes include: Pre-existing weakness of the annulus Aging and general degeneration of the intervertebral discs Trauma related to automobile accidents Sports injuries Poor posture Improper or heavy lifting

What is the treatment for a diffuse disc bulge?

A common and effective treatment is an epidural injection, which involves injecting an anesthetic into the space where the affected nerve is located. The injection also includes a steroid that helps to reduce the inflammation that can be caused by the bulging disc.

What does vsmall disc bulge mean?

The words ‘disc bulge’ imply that the disc appears symmetric with a small amount of outpouching, and no significant herniation . Specifically, disc bulges do not penetrate the ligament barrier that separates the disc from the spinal canal. Disc bulging is often an incidental finding on MRI. As people age, disc bulges are commonly seen on MRI.

What causes a disc bulge in the spine?

Degenerative disc disease is the most common cause of bulging discs, often resulting in spinal osteoarthritis. Other factors that can cause or contribute to bulging discs include: strain or injury. obesity. smoking. poor posture. inactivity .