Broad based disc protrusion is strictly defined as a disc protrusion that occurs around 25 to 50 percent of the circumference of a spinal disc. When any amount of disc material is out of place and beyond its normal boundaries, it can place pressure on surrounding nerve roots, causing them to relay faulty signals between the brain and other areas of the body. That can lead to traveling symptoms like pain, muscle weakness, numbness and so on.

Addressing symptoms through conservative means

When we say “conservative” therapies, we mean treatment approaches that do not involve surgery. The majority of people who have broad based disc extrusions are able to manage their symptoms effectively through a carefully maintained regimen of conservative treatment measures. Some of the more commonly recommended treatment measures include:

• Stretching, which can temporarily “open up” the spine to give the compressed disc more space
• Exercising, which strengthens and improves the flexibility of body as a whole
• Physical therapy, which targets weaker and less flexible areas of the spine for specific improvement in range of motion
• Medications, which help control immediate symptoms such as pain and discomfort to allow the patient to complete other portions of the disc protrusion treatment regimen

Some patients find it useful to incorporate alternative or complementary therapies such as chiropractic care, acupuncture and therapeutic massage into their routines.

When surgery may be an option

Broad based disc protrusions can often be managed using the aforementioned methods, but sometimes the pain and other symptoms continue or even worsen over weeks or months of conservative therapy. For that reason, some people look for a surgical solution. Because surgery can address the root cause of symptoms, it can be effective when other methods have failed.

Available surgical approaches

Although many specific procedures can be performed to help patients with disc protrusion, they can be separated into two categories — traditional, open spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. USA Spine Care, the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, offers outpatient procedures that provide many advantages versus open neck or back surgery.^{^} Our patients are up and walking within a few hours of surgery, and the procedures require no lengthy recovery.^{^}

To learn more about USA Spine Care and our options for disc protrusion treatment, contact us today.

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