Disc herniation

Most people put daily strain on the spine, and ongoing changes occur in the back. In the worst case, these changes can lead to a disc herniation

Most of us have experienced back pain. In fact, it is one of the most common forms of pain that Danes suffer from.

Back pain or pain in the lower back can be extremely burdensome. But it is usually not dangerous to have back pain, and most of the time it resolves on its own. In some people the pain persists, and in around one in five the pain is caused by a so-called degenerative spinal disease, which in some cases can lead to a disc herniation.

What is a disc herniation?

A disc herniation occurs when the soft gel mass inside the disc (discus) breaks completely through a crack in the surrounding fibrous ring. The soft part can bulge out towards the spinal canal. If the bulge presses on a nerve, pain can occur. However, a disc herniation does not always cause pain. 
A disc herniation most often occurs in the lower back, but the cervical vertebrae and in rarer cases the thoracic vertebrae can also be affected.

A disc herniation is often caused by the connective tissue around a disc, which sits between the vertebrae, becoming weakened as we age. But injuries can also be the cause.

How is a disc herniation treated?

Disc herniation is often treated without surgery and will typically consist of relieving the back, possibly pain-relieving medication and careful rehabilitation when the symptoms subside.

Osteoarthritis in the back?

Is seen with increasing frequency the older one gets and is not necessarily the cause of back pain and is sometimes an incidental finding, but can indeed be the cause of pain, inflammation and possibly joint instability in the back. There will often be a need for an MRI scan of the back so that one can assess the severity and significance of the various factors for the current back pain. Treatment is most often targeted exercise for the back and in selected cases surgery.

Joint instability in the back?

Is most often caused by osteoarthritis but is also seen after accidents. Here too, treatment is targeted exercise for the back and in selected cases surgery where the affected area is stabilised.

Our rheumatologists offer rapid and precise diagnosis within spinal disorders with symptoms such as back pain possibly with radiating pain to the legs (sciatica) or neck pain possibly with radiation to the arms.