Slip Disc, Herniated Disc or Ruptured Disc all refer to a problem when the soft cushion called disc between the vertebrae of the spine pops out due to a tear in the disc outer covering. The central part of the disc is a soft jelly like substance encased in a tough rubber like covering. Due to aging the outer covering becomes hard and develops a tear through which the soft tissue pops out.
The slip disc can occur in any part of the spine but at our delhi spine centre we have seen that it is most common in the lumbar spine. The disc which pops out irritates the nerves present around the spinal cord and this results in back pain. The compression on the nerve can manifest in the form of back pain radiating into the legs or the arms.
Excess body weight and incorrect technique while lifting heavy objects are the most common causes behind slipped disc of spine. Turning and twisting while lifting weights must be avoided to prevent a slip disc problem. At our Delhi Spine Centre we have seen that slip disc mostly occurs due to advanced age where disc degeneration has taken place. Smokers tend to have more cases of slip disc than non-smokers. Our spine specialist at Delhi Centre is of the belief that smoking is one of the reasons and quitting smoking helps in preventing cases of slip disc.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
When you first land up in the OPD at our Delhi Spine centre through an appointment with our spine specialist, you would get a thorough physical examination. Most of the cases of slip disc can be correctly diagnosed by clinical evaluation. Some cases would require investigations like X-Rays or MRI Scan. The MRI of Spine is the gold standard and the best modality for diagnosing all the problems in the back specially a protruding disc.
Most of the cases of slip disc are treated conservatively through pain and antiinflamatory medications combined with physiotherapy at our spine centre in Delhi. Long term relief from back pain can be achieved only through the strengthening of the para spinal muscles. What to talk about the couch potatoes, as even the gym goers tend to ignore the back muscles. Exercises for chest and abdominals should be matched by exercises for the back, set by set. Cycling and Swimming are also great for strong back muscles.
If the lower back pain is caused due to a disc prolapse (slip disc) and the physiotherapy fails to give pain relief then a small surgery is done. Dr. Sudeep Jain performs endoscopic spine surgery through a tiny incision in the back to remove the protruding intervertebral disc. The vertebrae in such cases may have to be fused by using metallic implant. The hospital stay would be 2 days and complete recovery would take around 2 weeks before you can resume work.
COST OF TREATMENT
The cost of any treatment is quite less at our spine centre in Delhi if the treatment is done at the early stage of the disease. So if you experience a sharp pain in the back, immediately book an appointment with Dr. Sudeep Jain who is considered as one of the top spine specialist in Delhi, India. The clinic is located at Naraina Vihar. The cost of consultation is Rs. 1500. Other costs associated with the treatment of Slip Disc could be in the form of diagnostic tests like X-Rays which would cost in the range of Rs. 600-900. If MRI of the Spine is required it would cost another Rs. 6000 – 7000. Normally no other tests are required for the diagnosis of the cause of back pain.
The cost associated with the treatment of lower back pain at our spine centre in Delhi is mostly in the form of physiotherapy sessions. Most of the patients would typically require 6-8 sessions of physiotherapy to start on the path of recovery. The cost for 6-8 physio sessions would be Rs. 3000 – 4000 depending upon the modalities used for pain relief.
The cost of Spine surgery for Slip Disc would be in the range of Rs. 1.5-2.0 lacs. If you have a corporate insurance then this surgery is covered from day one. However if you have an individual policy then most of the insurance companies would pay for the surgery if the policy is more than 2 years old.
