Bulging Disc Treatment

Spinal discs provide a cushion between the vertebrae. They help to protect the spinal cord and nerves while allowing flexibility and movement by absorbing shock. When the outer portion of a spinal disc is damaged due to injury or degenerative disease, it can bulge. Patients with bulging discs may experience no symptoms or many, depending on what nerves and tissue are affected. For those with chronic back and neck pain or mobility issues caused by a bulging disc, Medici Orthopaedics & Spine offers effective treatments at our facilities in the greater Atlanta area.

Causes and Symptoms of Bulging Discs

Spinal or intervertebral discs are hard on the outside and soft in the middle. The outer, hard shell confines the soft material inside. A bulging disc occurs when the outside shell is damaged or leaks, allowing a portion of the softer inside to bulge. This can occur as a result of a back or neck injury that causes trauma to the disc, but it is more commonly from degenerative disc diseases. The outer shell of the disc can become brittle and fragile with age, allowing the soft interior to bulge.

When an intervertebral disc bulges, it can put pressure on the nerves around the spine. In the neck or cervical spine, a bulging disc can cause neck pain. It also affects the shoulder, arm and hand with tingling, numbness or pain. Lumbar spine or lower back bulging discs can cause localized pain or sciatic pain and numbness that affects the buttocks, hips and legs.

Our medical team at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine offers pain relief and treatment for bulging discs. We provide many different non-invasive therapies that minimize pain and improve mobility. Bulging discs that do not respond to conservative treatments may require surgical intervention. We offer minimally-invasive endoscopic surgery for spinal disc repairs at our state-of-the-art surgical center in Marietta. Contact one of our offices to schedule an appointment if you have chronic pain caused by a bulging disc.