Are you experiencing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your neck, back, or extremities? If so, chances are good that you might have a herniated disc. Fortunately, if you’re in Durham, North Carolina, or the surrounding area, you can turn to the spine specialists at North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic for diagnosis and treatment. We’ve been assisting patients with their orthopedic conditions since 2003, and we take pride in offering our clients specialized care and personalized service.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
In order to understand disc herniation, it helps to have some general knowledge about the anatomy of the spine. The spine contains 33 vertebrae that are separated by soft discs. These discs, which are responsible for absorbing shocks and cushioning the spine, consist of a tough outer shell (the annulus fibrosus) and a soft, jellylike center (the nucleus pulposus). A disc “herniates” when it develops a tear in the outer shell, and its soft center starts leaking out into the surrounding area. Although a herniated disc doesn’t always cause symptoms, it may cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness if the leaking material comes into contact with a nearby nerve.
For More Information
If you think that you may have a herniated disc, don’t wait any longer to seek treatment—contact North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic today and request an appointment at our Durham, NC, office. Failing to promptly treat a herniated disc can cause permanent nerve damage and possibly even lead to paralysis, so it’s important to act quickly.