Herniated Disc

Springfield Herniated Disc Experts at Cherry Health Center

A disc is the cushion that is located between your vertebrae in the neck and back. As your spine ages, many individuals experience a process that is called Degenerative Disc Disease which starts to set in. For many patients, this process can also start at a younger age because of an injury that caused inflammation in their spine or due to developmental defects in their spine. No matter how the patient obtained a herniated disc or bulging discs, they are on the road to the Degenerative Disc Disease process.

The inside of your disc is very similar to what the center of a jelly doughnut is like. The medical term for the jelly is the Nucleus Pulposis. The nucleus pulposis contains a watery gel-like mixture. When the watery gel-like material "herniates" outside of its normal place, there is a tear in the annular fibers and the gel-like material goes out through that tear and applies pressure on the surrounding nerves or your spinal cord. This is what causes the severe pain you may be experiencing. In the event that there is enough pressure, the watery gel-like material may actually pinch the front of your spinal cord or nerves and cause severe pain and emit symptoms into your legs or even your arms depending on where the herniated disc may be.

There are 3 key types of herniated discs you may suffer from:

Protruding Herniated Disc is when the watery gel-like material is coming through the tear in your disc. The watery gel-like material can apply pressure on the nerves or spinal cord and cause you severe pain. It is important to know that these disc problems can advance for many years and go undetected and all of a sudden the patient can have severe pain and not even know why. The process of a protruding herniated disc can take many years and the patient can bend or twist in a certain way and then have the pain come on very rapidly.

Extruding Herniated Disc occurs when the watery gel-like material has come out from the annular fibers and then is flowing down or up in your spinal column. This problem is more severe than a protruding herniated disc and in some situations surgeons will operate on it and some will choose not to. The reason why this problem is considered more severe is because it is in the final stages before the actual watery gel-like material can literally break off and become free floating inside your spinal column.

Sequestered Herniated Disc is when a piece of the watery gel-like material has actually broken off and is now free floating inside your spinal column.

How do I get started?

Contact our office at (417) 869-2000 to schedule an initial consultation with the Doctor to determine your individual situation. Medical Evaluation and Diagnostic testing procedures should be performed prior to beginning any treatment in order to determine the most effective process. After carefully studying your case history and exam findings, the Doctor will sit down and explain his recommended plan of action for you. After answering any questions you may have about the recommended plan, you may begin your care.

or Fill out this form to receive a FREE information packet