Lumbar Bulging Disc

About Lumbar Bulging Disc

You can’t always tell if you have a bulging disc in your lower back or some other condition that’s causing your persistent lower back pain. Spine specialists at the Spine & Rehab Group in New York City and northern New Jersey are experts in treating all kinds of lower back pain, which is the leading cause of lost productivity in the United States. Lumbar disc bulge treatment is their specialty, so you’re assured of a correct diagnosis and treatment designed specifically for you. With so many interventional approaches to treatment for a bulging lumbar disc, your spine specialists always prefer to first recommend non-invasive treatments and lifestyle changes. Call today for your consultation.

What Is a Lumbar Bulging Disc?

The intervertebral discs in your lumbar spine support the flexibility of your body. With age, these spinal discs lose fluid, which can lead to a breakdown of the tough outer ring of the disc, called annulus fibrosus. When this happens, the soft gel-like interior of the disc, the nucleus pulposus, bulges out.

Your body relies on the flexibility of the lower spine to make many movements possible. This section of the spine also bears your body’s weight. Your lumbar spine offers stability when you’re moving and sitting. A bulging disc may press on spinal nerves, which is where the pain and mobility issues stem from.

Because you need so much flexibility from your body for daily activities, any problem with the lumbar spine requires immediate attention by a spine specialist. Dr. Amr Hosny and his team of spine doctors at the Spine & Rehab Group in New York City and northern New Jersey leverage the latest diagnostic and treatment technology to restore function to your lower back.

Am I Suffering from a Bulging Lumbar Disc?

Learning the symptoms of a bulged disc in your lower back helps you recognize the signs early so you can seek diagnosis and treatment. The earlier you begin treatment for a bulging lumbar disc, the better your odds of a full recovery. Common symptoms of a bulging disc include:

• Lower back pain while sitting
• Tingling or pain in your fingers, hands, arms, neck or shoulders
• Pain in your feet, thighs, lower spine and buttocks
• Radiating pain into your leg, a condition called sciatica
• Back pain, aggravated by specific activities, such as bending forward or down, lifting heavy objects, coughing and sneezing
• Pain and flexibility problems while walking
• Bladder incontinence that comes from a bulging disc that compresses the nerves controlling your bladder

These symptoms are common with other conditions affecting the lower back as well, which is why you need the expertise of a spine doctor. Other lower back conditions that share many of the same symptoms include:

• Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease
• Lumbar radiculopathy
• A lumbar disc herniation
• A lumbar sprain
• Lumbar stenosis

What Causes a Lumbar Bulging Disc?

A bulging lumbar disc may develop gradually with age or happen suddenly, in case of trauma. Your spine doctor assesses the cause of the bulged disc to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the cause. A disc in the lumbar spine bulges outward from its position for a number of reasons, such as:

• Age-related degeneration
• Weakened back muscles
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Strenuous lifting
• Twisting your body regularly
• Degenerative disc disease
• A back injury

The doctors at the Spine & Rehab Group examine you to determine the underlying cause. The state-of-the-art facilities have the latest equipment for fast and correct diagnosis of spine conditions and disorders. Imaging tests such as an MRI, x-rays or a CT scan help your doctor confirm the diagnosis.

Who’s at Risk of a Bulging Lumbar Disc?

While this spine condition mostly affects the aging population, some factors make everyone vulnerable. The risk factors for a lumbar spinal disc include:

• Bad posture
• Obesity
• Participation in high contact sports
• Activities that place stress and strain on the spine
• Strenuous training exercises

During your consultation, your spine doctor explains these risks to you, as well as strategies for combatting them to reduce your risk. You can both then discuss the best lumbar disc bulge treatment for your case.

How Is a Bulging Lumbar Spinal Disc Treated?

After coming to a firm diagnosis, your spine doctor determines how to treat a bulging disc in the lumbar spine, relying on an interventional approach. The bulging lumbar disc treatment option that’s best for you depends on the imaging test results and the severity of your bulging disc. Your doctor takes your lifestyle into consideration too. Treatment for bulging lumbar disc may include:

• Physical therapy to strengthen muscles in your back
• Pain management medication, depending on the severity of your pain
• Muscle relaxants
• A healthy weight reduction plan
• Conservative pain management options, such as ice packs, heating pads and massage therapy
• Lumbar epidural steroid injections to relieve your pain and reduce the inflammation
• Minimally invasive surgical treatments

If you’re among the millions of people suffering from life-altering lower back pain, consult the spinal doctors at the Spine & Rehab Group for treatment. They’re available in New York City in the Financial District, Greenwich Village and Midtown Manhattan. In New Jersey, contact the spine specialists in Bergen County, Morris County, Union County, including Paramus, Riverdale, Englewood Cliffs, Cranford and East Brunswick.