What Are the Causes of a Bulging Disc and How Can It Be Treated?
Studies show that as you age the discs deteriorate and bulge downward. Therefore, bulging discs are mostly caused by age-related degeneration. Since it is a degenerative condition, the symptoms usually appear progressively and gradually. Pains associated with bulging discs are usually common in the legs, back, or buttocks. It may also affect your gait cycle and in some cases, affect your ability to walk.
It is important to note that bulging discs usually affect more than one disc. This condition mostly develops over time and can lead to disc degeneration-related conditions, such as lumbar stenosis [1], or narrowing of the spinal canal.
Over the years, various treatment options have proven to be useful. Your doctor may recommend short-term treatment such as anti-inflammatory drugs [2]. These drugs are commonly prescribed during flare-ups. Your doctor may recommend steroid injections if you have a serious nerve pain [3]. Long-term treatment may involve a self-directed exercise program that you start with a physical therapist and then transition to doing at home. If your bulging discs have lumbar stenosis and the symptoms are disrupting your daily activities, your doctor may recommend surgery. The most common surgery for bulging discs is lumbar decompression [4]. The procedure usually involves decompressing the spinal canal so that the nerves are no longer compressed. It is a specific type of procedure that is done based on the type and level of stenosis. It helps reduce pain and inflammation [5].