Back Pain Forum - Hernia: can Discs heal without intervention?

Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Hernia: can Discs heal without intervention?

What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....

Q: Hernia: can Discs heal without intervention?

asked by: DoctorQuestion on December 7th, 2006

Doc,

I was hoping you could explain the physiology of how discs heal or recoup themselves. I have read so many different healthcare exlanations about 'how a disc heals' or people saying that 'it will always be bulging'. What is the correct answer? My MRI shows an improvement after two years even though I re-injured it in 2005.

I am currently swimming, stretching, walking, weightlifting (light to moderate, no squats, dead lifts, etc), and just starting to jog on treadmill. Nagging pain when I sit for long periods. Thank you.

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on December 12th, 2006

Back Pain Answer A1931

The physiology of how discs heal themselves depends upon the reason that caused a disc hernia in the first place. Generally, if the disc hernia is caused by spondylosis (chronic progressive degenerative disease), it doesn't seem that could be healed naturally, but it could be treated only with the surgical removal of the disc. If the disc hernia is caused by injury, there are chances (but not always) for local regenerative and reparative processes to heal the injury.

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