Treatments for Spinal Cord Disc Injuries

There are a myriad of spinal cord injuries that exist, and many of these are due to car accidents and bicycle crashes, as well and slips and falls on private properties. Their sensitive and complex nature can make these injuries extremely severe and damaging to everyday lifestyles. A few treatments are available for those who suffer injuries to the spine.

Arguably, the most difficult thing about spinal cord injuries is the fact that there are no absolute cures. For example, if the spinal cord is severed, the result tends to be paralysis or numbness and there are no known cures. Sometimes, the paralysis may wear off, but the spinal cord does not regenerate itself and medical science has not found a way to yet fix this condition.

However, many injuries involving the spinal cord have remedies and treatments. Typically, though the remedy means eliminating or reducing the pain of the injury by reducing the functionality and movement of the spine.

A herniated disc is a common injury that has a high rate of treatment success without having to undergo surgery. Some herniated discs can resolve themselves if the patient is careful to avoid a lot of stress and excessive movement. If that is not possible, or if the effect on the victim is too severe, then other treatment options exist.

Another option to treat a herniated disc is to have a spinal steroid (or corticosteroid or epidural) shot injected in the disc area. This helps contract the material the disc is made of, along with the tissues surrounding it, which reduces pressure on the spinal nerves pressing up against the inside of the bony vertebrae--which is the cause of the pain and discomfort. This is generally a quick outpatient procedure.

Spinal decompression is a less common path, but still avoids surgery. It is like a traction table that puts the patient in two harnesses and pulls in opposite directions on the spine to separate vertebrae and allow the disc to recede back into place.

Orthopedic surgeons generally try these non-invasive treatment options first before considering surgery as an option. If a patient does not receive any substantial benefit from these treatments, surgery may be recommended. The two most common types of surgery to help with a spinal disc injury and/or a herniated disc are a laminectomy or a disc fusion. A laminectomy is the more minor of the two options and consists of the doctor cutting a notch in the back of the affected vertebrae to relieve pressure on the herniated disc. A fusion is much more serious and generally is only recommended when there is additional spinal instability along with the pain of the herniated or bulging disc. A fusion is performed where the surgeon binds the affected vertebrae level with the level below and the level above to strengthen the integrity of the spine in that area. It is a very serious procedure and, while it may eliminate or reduce the pain, will limit the patient's ability to flex or bend his spine.

Spinal cord injuries can happen without the patient being at fault. They tend to be very painful, as the spine is a collection of densely packed nerves, and the slightest injury tends to be felt. However, there is a high rate of reported disc injuries, as many people suffer from these every day and many recover through time and treatment.