Herniated Disc and Lumbar Disc Disease
At every twist and turn, pain from a herniated disc can derail your plans, keeping you from doing what you love. Ready to end the pain from a ruptured disc? Trust Hoag. At Hoag Spine Center, our commitment to conservative, personalized treatment of spinal issues is all about you. In your corner: a nationally-renowned team that includes rehabilitation specialists, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians and preeminent, board-certified neurosurgeons. So don't get sidelined by lumbar disc disease. Hoag Spine Center is here to help you heal.
What is a herniated disc/lumbar disc disease?
A herniated disc/lumbar disc disease occurs when one of the spongy cushions between our vertebrae bulges out of shape or ruptures. As the disc bulges, it can press on nearby nerves, causing pain. Some patients experience little to no pain from a herniated disc. For others, the pain can be debilitating. This largely depends on the location and severity of the herniated disc.
How is a herniated disc/lumbar disc disease diagnosed?
Your physician will talk with you to help understand your symptoms and pain level and to try to determine the event that may have caused the herniated disc. This will likely be followed by a thorough examination. If the pain is severe, your doctor might order imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan to help determine the underlying cause.
What are the risk factors for herniated disc/lumbar disc disease?
Factors that can put you more at risk for a herniated disc include:
- Family history
- Accidents and falls
- Obesity
- Prolonged sitting, including frequent driving
- Improper form when lifting heavy objects
- Lack of core muscle strength
- A sedentary lifestyle
I’ve been diagnosed with herniated disc/lumbar disc disease. Now What do I do?
When you need spine care in Orange County, trust Hoag. At Hoag, our fellowship-trained team of spine specialists is here to help get you back to doing the things that matter most. We’re committed to treating you like a person, not a chart. Hoag provides the latest technology and treatments, with minimally-invasive techniques designed to help you recover quicker with less pain. Meet the Hoag Spine Center Team.
What treatments are available for a herniated disc/lumbar disc disease?
Treatment options for lumbar disc disease depend greatly on the severity of the issue and the patient’s symptoms, including their level of pain. In less-severe cases, pain from a herniated disc can be lessened or alleviated through rest, icing the area, pain medication, gentle stretching, weight loss, improved posture or regular exercise. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend physical therapy, or inject a steroid near the damaged disc to reduce inflammation and pain. In chronic or debilitating cases where other approaches don’t significantly alleviate pain, surgery may be required.
Minimally-invasive robotic spinal surgery at Hoag
When your spine is on the line, trust Hoag for spine surgery. Hoag was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer the Mazor X Stealth™ advanced robotic navigation platform for spinal surgery. Combining 3D pre-operative planning tools with robotic precision, the system provides surgeons with advanced visualization of your body’s unique internal structures, and you with the great chance to come back strong from back surgery. Learn more about advanced robotic surgery at Hoag.
Award-Winning Care for the Spine at Hoag
There’s a reason why U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 list of top hospitals ranked Hoag as High Performing — their top distinction — in neurology, neurosurgery and spinal fusion. A higher standard of care. Accurate diagnosis for more successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of spine-care specialists who are committed to seeing you heal. That’s spinal care at Hoag. Read an essay about a real Hoag patient’s spine-care journey.
Confused about your condition? Trust Hoag Nurse Navigators
Facing a health issue that could involve surgery can be confusing for anyone. That’s why the Hoag Spine Center offers our unique Nurse Navigator program. These trained nurses are there for you, both as a guide and a resource for medically-accurate information about your unique diagnosis. It’s one more way Hoag is here for you through your journey as a patient, every step of the way. Get started with our spine nurse navigator.
What is a herniated disc/lumbar disc disease?
A herniated disc/lumbar disc disease occurs when one of the spongy cushions between our vertebrae bulges out of shape or ruptures. As the disc bulges, it can press on nearby nerves, causing pain. Some patients experience little to no pain from a herniated disc. For others, the pain can be debilitating. This largely depends on the location and severity of the herniated disc.
How is a herniated disc/lumbar disc disease diagnosed?
Your physician will talk with you to help understand your symptoms and pain level and to try to determine the event that may have caused the herniated disc. This will likely be followed by a thorough examination. If the pain is severe, your doctor might order imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan to help determine the underlying cause.
What are the risk factors for herniated disc/lumbar disc disease?
Factors that can put you more at risk for a herniated disc include:
- Family history
- Accidents and falls
- Obesity
- Prolonged sitting, including frequent driving
- Improper form when lifting heavy objects
- Lack of core muscle strength
- A sedentary lifestyle
I’ve been diagnosed with herniated disc/lumbar disc disease. Now What do I do?
When you need spine care in Orange County, trust Hoag. At Hoag, our fellowship-trained team of spine specialists is here to help get you back to doing the things that matter most. We’re committed to treating you like a person, not a chart. Hoag provides the latest technology and treatments, with minimally-invasive techniques designed to help you recover quicker with less pain. Meet the Hoag Spine Center Team.
What treatments are available for a herniated disc/lumbar disc disease?
Treatment options for lumbar disc disease depend greatly on the severity of the issue and the patient’s symptoms, including their level of pain. In less-severe cases, pain from a herniated disc can be lessened or alleviated through rest, icing the area, pain medication, gentle stretching, weight loss, improved posture or regular exercise. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend physical therapy, or inject a steroid near the damaged disc to reduce inflammation and pain. In chronic or debilitating cases where other approaches don’t significantly alleviate pain, surgery may be required.
Minimally-invasive robotic spinal surgery at Hoag
When your spine is on the line, trust Hoag for spine surgery. Hoag was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer the Mazor X Stealth™ advanced robotic navigation platform for spinal surgery. Combining 3D pre-operative planning tools with robotic precision, the system provides surgeons with advanced visualization of your body’s unique internal structures, and you with the great chance to come back strong from back surgery. Learn more about advanced robotic surgery at Hoag.
Award-Winning Care for the Spine at Hoag
There’s a reason why U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 list of top hospitals ranked Hoag as High Performing — their top distinction — in neurology, neurosurgery and spinal fusion. A higher standard of care. Accurate diagnosis for more successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of spine-care specialists who are committed to seeing you heal. That’s spinal care at Hoag. Read an essay about a real Hoag patient’s spine-care journey.
Confused about your condition? Trust Hoag Nurse Navigators
Facing a health issue that could involve surgery can be confusing for anyone. That’s why the Hoag Spine Center offers our unique Nurse Navigator program. These trained nurses are there for you, both as a guide and a resource for medically-accurate information about your unique diagnosis. It’s one more way Hoag is here for you through your journey as a patient, every step of the way. Get started with our spine nurse navigator.