How a Disc Herniation Can Severely Affect Your Daily Life

Last updated 10 months ago

With a disc herniation, what starts out as a minor backache may end up causing serious problems. Sometimes herniated discs don’t affect patients’ backs at all. Instead, symptoms can occur in your arms, legs, or other muscles. Getting effective treatment for a disc herniation by a New York orthopedic surgeon is very important. It can prevent the herniation from worsening and causing major health problems.

What Is a Disc Herniation?
There is a small cushioning disc between each bone in your spine. When those discs begin deteriorating, they eventually weaken and shift. The disc ruptures and starts pushing up against the nerves in your spine. This herniation causes a variety of symptoms that often require careful treatment from a knowledgeable New York orthopedic surgeon.

Symptoms & Effects

Legs and Arms: Herniated discs affect either legs or arms depending on where in the spine they occur. You may feel shock-like feelings, tingling, or numbness spread through the limbs. This is due to the pinched nerves sending faulty signals to the limbs they control. If you experience strange feelings in your limbs, see an NYC sports medicine doctor right away.
Weakness:
Faulty nerve signals caused by herniated discs can also cause muscles to feel much weaker than normal. If you suddenly lose the ability to perform certain tasks because of weakness, a herniation is likely and you should see an orthopedic surgeon in New York right away.
Serious Related Problems:
Sometimes the symptoms of herniated discs can become debilitating. Without treatment at a New York sports medicine clinic, muscle weakness and numbness can completely control your life. Additionally, herniated discs can cause an extremely serious and life-threatening bowel or bladder problem called cauda equina syndrome.

If you experience any symptoms, see a New York orthopedic surgeon right away to avoid serious complications. Dr. Drew Stein is a premier NYC sports medicine doctor and orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Stein will develop an aggressive, non-surgical plan to treat your individual case and symptoms. To set up an appointment, call (212) 398-2300.