Question 1

how long will it take to heal from a herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

HNP recovery: Assuming lack of nerve or spinal cord compression, the ruptured disc may on it's own gradually dry out or dessicate, and shrink profoundly over a 9-10 month period.  European MRI studies have substantiated the likelihood of improvement without surgery in many patients with this spontaneous development.

Question 2

is it possible for a herniated disk to heal itself after 3 cortisone?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Recent research has demonstrated that given enough time most disc herniations will resolve with time. Cortisone injections help control the symptoms during this time but have not been shown to increase the chances that the disc will heal.

Question 3

can a herniated disk heal itself after 3 cortisone shots without surgery?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Cortisone injections (why 3?...There is no standard to do 3 shots.) can help the inflammatory process of the nerve roots irritated by the disc hernitaion.  These injections do not "heal" the disc, but can cause accelerated pain relief.  Disc herniations occasionally resorb (disintegrate) over time, but there is no guarantee that a disc is healed once the pain is gone, even from injection therapy.

Question 4

can nerve damage from siatica heal on its own from herniated disk ? right foot can stand on heel it drops what kind of doc should i see spine doc?

Accepted Answer

Weakness: Adam - your sciatic nerve is compressed and you have weakness on dorsiflexion This should be checked right away to see exactly what is happening. Anyone can order an MRI - PMD, Neurosurgeon, Physiatrist, PAin Doctor.

Question 5

what are symptoms of herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

Back / arm/leg Pain: The most frequent symptom of a herniated disc in the lower back is pain radiating from this region into one or both of the legs. Similarly, in the cervical spine, pain radiates into the arms.

Question 6

can you over-treat a herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can: You can over treat any disease. It all depends what the complains of the patient are. If the pain is very minimal and the person can control it with over the counter medication, every other form of treatment would be considered over treatment. On the other hand, there are forms of disc herniation that fail all conservative measures and need surgery. Every case is unique and requires common sense.

Question 7

what are the tests for herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

History, exam, MRI: The person's story (history) usually makes the diagnosis. The physical examination will tend to confirm it. Tests like MRI and ct (with or without contrast dye) simply indicate where the herniation is. Sometimes other problems cause similar symptoms and signs, so the MRI or ct are necessary if invasive treatment is being considered.

Question 8

will a herniated disk go away by itself?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: If the herniation is acute (just happened) a common course is that these issues resolve on their own within 6-8 weeks. Often physical therapy and anti-inflammatories are important in the healing process. If the pain does not resolve with these conservative measures or is accompanied by lower extremity weakness/numbness you should seek the care of an expert as soon as possible.

Question 9

how serious is a having a herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It depends on size, amount of inflammation, location (neck, mid back, low back, against spinal cord, against nerve but not cord). Sometimes it keeps nerves or spinal cord from working properly. Other times it causes pain. Sometimes it is silent (no symptoms, problems). Most improve with time. Treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are, whether or not they are worsening, & how long they last.

Question 10

what do you recommend for herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

Proper evaluation: This needs  an appropriate evaluation. How much damage is it  causing.  A few need immediate emergency surgery while  most  need appropriate physical therapy. In some cases injection of corticosteroids in the back  in a location called  the epidural space between the spinal cord and  the vertebrae, this is done to decrease swelling around the disk to decrease  pain and let the herniation resolve.

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How long o heal herniated disk

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How long will it take to heal from a herniated disk?

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Is it possible for a herniated disk to heal itself after 3 cortisone?

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Can a herniated disk heal itself after 3 cortisone shots without surgery?

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Can nerve damage from siatica heal on its own from herniated disk ? right foot can stand on heel it drops what kind of doc should i see spine doc?

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What are symptoms of herniated disk?

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Can you over-treat a herniated disk?

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What are the tests for herniated disk?

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Will a herniated disk go away by itself?

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How serious is a having a herniated disk?

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What do you recommend for herniated disk?

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