Treatment for a herniated disc

While out walking one evening a neighbours’ dog ran out of the driveway barking. You were startled, and attempted to get away from the animal. With the sudden unaccustomed twisting motion you put your back out.

The next morning you visited your doctor, as your back was still sore, and sneezing was almost unbearable.

In the consulting room, after a lengthy examination, your GP informs you that you have a herniated disk, and gives you a prescription for an anti-inflammatory and some paracetamol. Your GP may refer to it as a slipped disk, a ruptured disk, a prolapsed disk, or any of several other names. They all refer to the condition which describes the situation when the inner gel-like fluid in the spinal disk pushes through a tear in the outer wall of the spinal disk, pinching a nerve, putting pressure on the spinal cord, or causing localised inflammation or swelling. A period of four weeks rest is recommended, in which you can still do what you usually would, but to exercise caution when lifting heavy objects, and to not work out at the gym. Perhaps after your next check-up gym will be allowed.

You will be one of the lucky ones if this scenario describes your herniated disk. The treatment is typical of most low impact disk herniations. In general most go away within four to six weeks, and are helped along with minor medication.

In my experience as a spinal injury lawyer, herniated spinal disk problems that do not go away, get worse. If your herniated disk is due to another persons’ negligence, you may be entitled to money compensation. You’re the one with constant pain. You’re the one who has to undergo physical therapy. It is you who has to take medication 4 times a day.

Because another person didn’t care.

With over 30 years experience as a Spinal Injury Lawyer, I have dealt with many similar cases.

Treatment of a herniated disk is progressive, depending on the severity of the herniation. As previously described, an anti-inflammatory and a painkiller can do the trick. If they do not help, treatment goes to the next level.

In addition to more targeted medication, your GP may refer you to an osteopath or chiropractor who will respectively use massage and manipulation to reduce swelling and pain. The medication you can expect to be given will be stronger than what you had, and very possibly a muscle relaxant will be part of the medication regime. Should your symptoms not get better, prepare yourself for steroidal treatment, either orally or via epidural injection. This is not as bad as it can get.

Having represented many patients with herniated disks over the past 30 years I am very aware of the impact a herniated disk can have on a person’s life, and although it cannot replace a sound spine, adequate finances to cover medical expenses is a great help. Adequate finance is invaluable if the herniated disk needs surgery. Disc fusion or replacement are the final treatment options available to a person with a herniated disk, and is, for many people, prohibitively costly.

Contact me via my contact form, or call me, Toll Free, on 888 446 1999, to arrange your first free consultation with me. I won’t charge you for any costs or fees if I am unable to secure money compensation for you.

The purpose of these web articles are not to make comment about an individual's personal choices, but are intended to educate you about the possible paths of outcome of various spinal injuries.

This website is provided as a public service regarding the topic of spinal injury and is not to be relied upon as medical or legal advice. The information supplied is of a general nature only, and is not intended to be relied upon. This information is not represented to be the most up to date or to cover your particular circumstances.

Before deciding to obtain care, treatment, or to determine a diagnosis, please consult with a licensed physician, and concerning your legal rights please consult with a lawyer.

Warning: Do not let any medical or legal concerns wait because of any information you have read on this website.

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