Will a ruptured disc heal on its own?

Will a ruptured disc heal on its own?

A herniated disk is also known as a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk. It’s one of the most common causes of neck, back and leg pain. Most of the time, herniated disks heal on their own or with simple home-care measures.

What happens when a spinal disc ruptures?

In the case of ruptured disc, one of the discs is bulging beyond the edges of the vertebral bodies above and below it. The gel material leaks, irritating nearby nerves. This can cause intermittent or continuous low back pain or sciatica, in which pain typically radiates into the leg and down to the foot.

What does a disk tear feel like?

Symptoms of disc tears include pain, numbness, or tingling in the affected area. If your disc tear is in the neck, you may feel pain in your shoulder or arm, while a disc tear in your lower back will show symptoms between your hips and toes. Symptoms may become worse over time, potentially leading to a herniated disc.

What do you do for a ruptured disc?

Nonsurgical treatment may include:

• Rest. One to 2 days of bed rest will usually help relieve back and leg pain.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain.
• Physical therapy.
• Epidural steroid injection.

What is the difference between a herniated disc and a ruptured disc?

Herniated disks are also called ruptured disks or slipped disks, although the whole disk does not rupture or slip. Only the small area of the crack is affected. Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it generally protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots.

Is a herniated disc an emergency?

The severe case of a herniated disk is a medical emergency because of intolerable pain and discomfort. Some of its symptoms include lower back pain, sharp leg or arm pain, loss of bladder or bowel control and numbness, weakness or tingling sensation in the foot and/or leg.

Can you feel a ruptured disc?

A herniated disk, which can occur in any part of the spine, most often occurs in the lower back. Depending on where the herniated disk is, it can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. Many people have no symptoms from a herniated disk.