Disc Herniation Treatment in Castle Rock

A disc herniation occurs when the soft inner material of an intervertebral disc pushes through the tough outer layer, often pressing on nearby nerves. This condition can develop due to age-related degeneration, repetitive stress, or sudden injuries such as lifting heavy objects improperly. Herniated discs can cause significant back pain, leg pain (sciatica), numbness, or weakness in the lower extremities.

The symptoms of a herniated disc can vary depending on the severity and if there is nerve compression. Common symptoms include:

• Lower back pain: Can be mild or severe and may worsen with movement.

• Sciatica: Sharp, shooting pain that radiates down one or both legs, often reaching the foot.

• Numbness or tingling: Affected nerves can cause sensations of pins and needles in the legs or feet.

• Muscle weakness: Difficulty lifting the foot, standing on toes, or maintaining balance.

• Pain that worsens with certain activities: Sitting, bending, lifting, or prolonged standing may aggravate symptoms.

If symptoms become severe or interfere with daily life, medical evaluation is recommended.

You should seek immediate medical attention if back pain is associated with:

• Loss of bowel or bladder control

• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in both legs

• Difficulty walking or standing

• Fever or unexplained weight loss along with back pain

Although rare, these symptoms may indicate a serious underlying condition that requires urgent medical attention.

Dr. Carrera and his team begin with a thorough medical history and physical examination, focusing on your symptoms, mobility, and nerve function. This is often enough to diagnose a disc herniation.

X-rays will be obtained at your first visit. They do not show disc herniations, but certain findings can suggest disc problems. If symptoms persist or worsen, advanced imaging such as an MRI can be obtained. Occasionally, nerve conduction studies may be ordered to evaluate the impact on nerve function.

Your own body is able to heal by itself following a disc herniation in the vast majority of cases. The hardest part is the time it takes, as it can be weeks to months.

Dr. Carrera offers a range of evidence-based treatments to relieve pain and give your body a fighting chance:

• Physical Therapy: Strengthens core and back muscles, improves flexibility, and helps with posture to reduce stress on the spine.

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Reduce inflammation and provide back pain relief.

• Nerve-Relaxing Pain Medications: Drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin (Lyrica) can help calm irritated nerves and reduce nerve-related pain.

• Epidural Steroid Injections: Targeted injections to decrease inflammation around irritated nerves. Most patients will experience at least 3 months of at least half of their pain being improved.

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: An injection-based treatment using a patient’s own platelets to reduce inflammation.

• Minimally Invasive Procedures: In cases where conservative treatments fail, procedures such as microdiscectomy may be recommended with Dr. Carrera’s surgical colleagues to remove the herniated portion of the disc and relieve pressure on the nerves.

Most patients improve with non-surgical treatments, and surgery is only considered when severe symptoms persist despite other interventions.