What is a Collapsed Disc?
The term “collapsed disc” is not an accepted medical term. It is a common phrase describing conditions that affect the spinal discs and cause the space between vertebrae to diminish. This term is usually used to describe a herniated disc, a bulging disc, or degenerative disc disease.
Collapsed Disc Symptoms
You will not experience symptoms if neural tissue is not compressed. When a disc collapses and causes compression of a spinal nerve or the spinal cord itself, you can experience a number of symptoms, including:
- Pain in the neck, back, and/or extremities
- Weakness or complete loss of muscular function
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Muscle spasms
These symptoms vary in severity and directly relate to the severity of neural compression. You may experience symptoms in different parts of the body, depending on the location of the compressed nerve. A compressed nerve in the cervical (neck) region of the spine, for instance, may cause the above symptoms in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands, while a compressed nerve in the thoracic (middle) region of the spine may cause discomfort in the ribs and torso.
Collapsed discs are most common in the lumbar (lower) region of the spine since this area is responsible for supporting the majority of a person’s weight. A collapsed disc in the lumbar region typically causes symptoms in the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet.
Treatment with BEST Health System
You can relieve these symptoms with conservative treatments such as rest, pain medications, steroidal spine injections, and moderate exercise. If you continue to experience the symptoms of a collapsed disc despite months of conservative therapy, you may require surgery. You should seek out the least invasive, most effective surgical treatment possible to decrease the risk of problematic surgical outcomes.
At BEST Health System, we believe in a comprehensive approach to surgery. We recommend all patients begin treatment with conservative methods. However, surgery may sometimes be the only option for effective relief. If this is the case, consider a minimally invasive surgery with BEST Health System. It is our goal to help our patients find the least invasive, most effective treatment option. Contact BEST to learn more.
