How long does it take to heal from a herniated disc in the lower back?

Answer 1

I have herniated discs in my lower back that never healed. The pain lets up and they don't hurt as bad. What happens is the disc becomes degenerated..often referred to DJD (degenerative joint disease)

Think of your disc like it is a jelly donut. When the disc herniates, it is like all of the jelly has been pushed out of the donut. The jelly is not going to just come back. With your disc the area will fill in--but, the fluid (which is gel like) will not come back.

There are tons of people out there who have herniated discs and don't even know it. People don't seek out medical treatment until they start experiencing severe pain, numbness or tingling, or sciatica. It is really through an MRI that these things are discovered.
What happens with a herniated disc is the back goes into severe muscle spasms which can be really painful.

If you are having acute pain, apply ice alternating with heat. Take Motrin or Tylenol. A warm bath often helps. Seek out treatment from a massage therapist that can soothe the sore muscles.

Herniated discs in the low back tend not to go away, the symptoms associated with it just get better.

My suggestion, when the pain is better---stay active. Swimming is a really good exercise that increases the tone of your stomach and back.

Answer 2

It depends on what type of hernia or where the outer tough membrane has split. If it is split away from the nerve roots, then you should not have a problem, providing you do not place extra stress on it and damage it more. If you are not experiencing severe pain down the legs or in the lower abdomen then count yourself lucky. DDD is Degenerative Disc Disease but it is not a Disease, just part of the aging process. As we age the soft material inside the discs dehydrates and the nice cushion affect goes away, the discs become hard. I have a prolapsed disc am 49 and they have told me they are not going to operate, due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Hopefully in 10-15 years time my body will have gone through this dehydration process, whereupon I will be pain free. Until then I am on pain patches, Fentanyl 80 times stronger than morphine. When the soft material hits the nerve roots I loose everything below the waist, so spend time as a wheelchair user until the soft material retreats back off the nerve roots. I do not recommend this, so watch what you are doing.

Answer 3

Hello, the Wayne, I am very interested to know how they treat herniated discs today. I had one back in 1973. I was 19. I was only pain-free when I was lying down. I couldn't sit or stand. Back then they did a surgery called a laminectomy. They cut out the part of the disc that was sticking out and hitting my sciatic nerve to cause the sciatica. It worked like a charm!

I've heard that they do it with lasers today. Is it not even surgery? I have a one inch scar in my lower back.

I notice that you don't accept E-mails. Could you open it for a minute to E-mail me the answer? I would greatly appreciated it. Don't forget to click "OK" on the last page in the bottom right hand side. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Lynn

Answer 4

They say that about 90% heal in 6 weeks time.