A disc is a pad or structure that functions as a stabilizer for the spine. When the disc loses its ability to afford flexibility and stability to the spine, problems can arise such as mechanical back pain associated with bending, lifting and twisting as well as numbness, weakness and sciatica if your condition is severe. Read on to learn about collapsed disc causes as well as the treatments available to relieve your condition.

Common collapsed disc causes

The factors that cause a collapsed disc to form may include high-impact sports such as football or hockey, excessive alcohol or tobacco consumption, poor posture, living a sedentary lifestyle and excessive weight gain. Certain degenerative conditions such as herniated discs, bulging discs and degenerative disc disease are also common collapsed disc causes, as this condition can develop as the spine weakens with age, causing a loss of water content and a thinning of the discs.

Conservative treatments for a collapsed disc

In order to treat a collapsed disc, your doctor may recommend the following conservative treatments to ease your symptoms:

• Pain medications
• Anti-inflammatories
• Muscle-relaxants
• Physical therapy
• Range of motion exercises
• Heat massage
• Low-impact activities
• Chiropractic care
• Acupuncture
• Cortisone injections

However, if your symptoms persist despite several weeks or months of conservative treatment, then surgery may become an option.

Surgical treatments for a collapsed disc

If you are suffering from collapsed disc symptoms caused by degenerative spine conditions, then contact the dedicated team at USA Spine Care to learn what sets us apart as the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery. Our minimally invasive procedures offer patients a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery as well as no lengthy recovery, earning us a patient satisfaction score of 98 out of 100.^

Since 2005, USA Spine Care has had the privilege of helping more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain. To treat a collapsed disc, our highly skilled surgeons use a small incision that is muscle sparing in order to remove a portion of the disc or all of the disc depending on the severity of your condition. To find out if you are a potential candidate for our procedures, reach out to us today and ask for a free MRI review.* We can help guide you through your journey to wellness.

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