Slip Disc

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 Mohali hospital 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 Mohali hospital 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.

Treatment Options

If you are suffering from back pain which is radiating into the arms or the legs then you should immediately consult our Spine Specialist at Mohali. After physical evaluation you may be required to get an MRI of the spine done. 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 hospital in Mohali. Long term relief from back pain can be achieved only through the strengthening of the para spinal 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. Jaspreet Singh Randhawa 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.

Best Doctors and Cost

Dr Angad Kumar Choudhary is one of the best trained and highly qualified spine surgeon for providing treatment for Slip Disc at Aarav Hospital. The cost of consultation is Rs. 500 while the cost of MRI if required would be Rs. 5000. Most of the patients can be cured by conservative treatment which would cost Rs. 3000 - 4000. If Laminectomy or Decompression Surgery is required then the cost would be Rs. 1.25 - 1.50 lacs. Aarav Hospital has the latest microscopes and highly advanced surgical instruments to perform brain and spine surgeries with high level of precision. The hospital stay is 1-2 days and 5he patient is called to the hospital for removal of stitches 15 days after the surgery. If you have an individual health insurance policy then this surgery is covered after a period of 2 years from the date of inception of the policy. However if you are a beneficiary of company given policy then the surgery is covered from day one. Always go through the terms of your health insurance policy like room rent capping and co-payment to avoid any kind of financial shocks later on.