Answered by SecondMedic Expert
Orthopedic Surgeon · Back Pain and Spinal Surgery
The answer to this question depends on the severity of a person's disc bulge and their individual medical history. Mild disc bulges may be treatable with conservative treatment measures such as rest, physical therapy, weight loss (if necessary), anti-inflammatory medications, and spinal bracing. In some cases, epidural steroid injections may also be beneficial.
In more severe or chronic cases that do not respond to conservative treatments, surgery may be recommended in order to provide relief from pain and other symptoms associated with the disc bulge. This can include minimally invasive surgical procedures such as laminectomy/foraminotomy or microdiscectomy to remove herniated discs and decompress nerves affected by a mild disc bulge; discectomy to fully remove a damaged vertebral disk; lumbar fusion if instability persists after discectomy; or artificial disk replacement when an entire disc is removed but stability is still necessary in that area of the spine.
Though treatment options vary depending on individual cases of mild disc herniation, all individuals should seek professional medical advice regarding their specific condition before pursuing any form of treatment plan.