Slipped (Herniated) Disc - FAQ

A: Not all herniated discs heal naturally. In the cases of slipped discs that do heal naturally, it may take 4 – 6 weeks to feel better.

A: Signs and symptoms depend on where the disc is situated and whether the disc is pressing on a nerve. Most herniated discs occur in the lower back, although they can also occur in the neck, and usually affect one side of the body.

You will most likely experience:

• Pain in your buttocks, thigh and calf, if your herniated disc is in your lower back
• Sharp or burning pain in your shoulder and arm, if your herniated disc is in your neck
• Poor control, difficulty walking and clumsiness of the hands if your herniated disc involves your cervical spine and spinal cord
• Numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves
• Loss of bladder control or bowel control in large disc prolapses

A: Sometimes, a herniated disc can heal on its own over time. To help with the recovery process, you can try the following:

• Rest
• Topical pain relief such as hot or cold packs
• Pain medication such as muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

A: Yes, a degenerate bulging disc can sometimes rupture and develop into a herniated disc.

Although bulging discs and herniated discs both affect discs in your spine, they are different conditions:

• Bulging discs are usually caused by age-related degeneration and affect multiple discs. This condition develops over time and can cause other disc degeneration-related issues, like lumbar stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
• Herniated discs involve a complete tear of the outer shell of the disc (annulus), herniation of part of the centre of the disc (annulus) into the spinal canal and compression of the nerves there.

A: Yes, an untreated, severe slipped disc can lead to permanent nerve damage.

In very rare cases, a slipped disc can cut off nerve impulses to the collection of nerves in your neck, arms and lower back and legs. Nerve damage can cause:

• Permanent weakness
• Loss of bowel control or bladder control
• Loss of sensation of part of the arms or legs

A: While the probability of relapse after surgery is low, there is no guarantee your slipped disc will not recur.

Possible recurrence depends on a number of factors, such as the:

• Likelihood of more disc fragments breaking off and herniating out
• Likelihood that another disc level may dislodge, causing another nerve compression.

A: While bulging discs may be painless, slipped discs are more likely to cause pain and irritate nerve roots.

A: A herniated disc sometimes heals on its own over time, under the right care and treatment.

If your symptoms do not get better after 6 weeks – 3 months, you may require surgical treatment. Seek medical help if you experience:

• Worsening symptoms
• Neurological deficits such as increasing weakness
• Loss of bladder control or bowel control

A: If left untreated, a serious slipped disc can result in:

• Permanent nerve damage
• Loss of bowel control or bladder control
• Partial paralysis, known as saddle anaesthesia, where you may lose sensation in your hands, arms, inner thighs, at the back of your legs, and around your rectum.

A: If you have a herniated disc, you should avoid:

• Heavy lifting
• High-impact activities
• Repetitive strenuous activities
• Activities that exert sudden pressure on the back
• Any activity that causes pain or aggravates existing pain