A Doctor Specializing in Lumbar Disc Herniation

Médico especialista em hérnia de disco lombar can diagnose your condition, treat it, and help prevent any lasting damage to your spinal cord. Doctors at NYU Langone’s Spine Center and Endoscope Spine Surgery Program are experienced in diagnosing herniated spines and can recommend the right treatment plan to relieve pain and restore function.

A herniated disk is an issue with the spongy layer of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your spinal bones. These bones are called vertebrae, and the spinal cord runs through them to carry messages from your brain to the rest of your body. Herniated discs can occur in either your lower back, called the lumbar spine, or your neck, called the cervical spine. They typically cause heavy pain in your back or neck, and sometimes numbness and tingling in your arms and legs.

Lumbar Disc Herniation: When to See a Spine Specialist

Your health care professional will start by taking a medical history and doing a physical exam. They may ask you to bend, twist, and move your back into different positions to check for tenderness. They might also use an imaging test to find the location and cause of your herniated spine.

Your health care professional might prescribe oral medicines to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. You may be given a muscle relaxer to ease spasms, or an opioid like codeine or oxycodone (Percocet). If other medicines don’t relieve your symptoms, your healthcare provider might recommend cortisone injections into the area around the compressed nerve and herniated disc.