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Bulging (Herniated) Disc Treatments

The spine (or spinal column) is made up of several dense bones known as vertebrae. These bones are separated by small, rubbery discs, which absorb some impact to the spine and allow free movement without the bones touching each other.

A herniated disc (also called a bulging disc) occurs when pressure on the disc causes it to bulge beyond the spine. Although many refer to it as a slipped disc, the disc doesn’t really slip, but bulges out of its normal place. A rupture happens when the covering on the disc tears and the soft, gelatinous interior of the disc leaks through.^[1] Either of these conditions can cause a great deal of pain, due to contact with the nerves or allowing vertebrae to rub against each other.

Why is treatment important?

Half of those that suffer a bulging disc recover within a month and most recover within 6 months.^[2] During this time, the individual will have to endure pain and limited ability to perform certain activities, but in Brevard County, including Melbourne, Palm Bay and Titusville, ruptured disc treatments are available.

Can a herniated disc be treated at home?

Yes. For mild disc injury, there are a number of ways to speed up the recovery process at home: ^[2]

Try to be as active as possible. The more you rest, the weaker the back muscles become. Unless you are in severe pain, plenty of gentle exercise such as walking or swimming can help to heal the injury.
If the pain is severe, rest as much as you can until the pain subsides.
Make an appointment with a specialist to assess how complicated the problem is and if surgery is necessary. Brevard, Melbourne, Titusville and Palm Bay bulging disc treatment professionals are best equipped to help with this evaluation.

What medical treatments are available for a bulging disc in Brevard County? For severe injuries to the disc, there are several treatment options available in Palm Bay, Titusville, Melbourne and nearby areas:

Surgical options:

Discectomy
The removal of the part of a ruptured, bulging or herniated disc that may interfere with function or press on nerves, causing extreme pain. Popular “minimally invasive” procedures include:
- Microdiscectomy: Using an operating microscope, the surgeon makes a much smaller incision than in the standard discectomy, making recovery time shorter and reducing post-operative pain.
- Percutaneous discectomy: An outpatient procedure during which the surgeon uses probes to access the disc through a very small incision.
Spinal (cervical or lumbar) fusion surgery :
This procedure ‘freezes’ two or more affected vertebrae, and is used for recurrent herniated discs or when removal of the entire disc is called for. It relieves pain by reducing pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord.^[3] Fusion surgery can be approached from the front (anterior), back (posterior) or side (lateral) of the patient.
Artificial disc replacement:
Disc replacement surgery employs an artificial disc to replace a painful, ruptured one, but is generally used to treat degenerative conditions.^[5] Different types are manufactured, including:
- Charite ® disc made by DePuy Spine, a Johnson & Johnson company
- PRESTIGE ® Cervical Disc, by Medtronic
- ProDisc ®, by Synthes, is has two models: the ProDisc-C (for cervical disc replacement); ProDisc-L (for lumbar disc replacement)
Laser disc repair:
- Lasers are incorporated in this minimally invasive outpatient procedure that uses a small incision to access the disc. The laser is then used to remove the part of the disc that is causing pain.
- The patient is able to go home on the same day.

The goal for any treatment is to alleviate pain weakness and numbness to the affected nerves. Most herniated disc treatment programs will aim to educate the patient on how to care for the back with strengthening exercises and strategies to prevent future bulging discs. ^[2]

How We Can Help

Couture Law, P.A. works with a number of leading bulging disc treatment providers in Brevard County, and can provide referrals to those who are best able to answer your questions. Below is a list of some of the specialists we work with:

Bulging Disc Treatment Specialists*

Atlantic Orthopaedic Group

1341 Medical Park Drive, Suite 201
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 768-9914

Orthopaedic Surgeons
Paul Keller

Dr. Keller is affiliated with the following hospitals:

Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL

The B.A.C.K. Center

2222 South Harbor City Blvd.,
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 723-7716

Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeons
Richard A. Hynes, MD, FACS, President

Dr. Hynes is affiliated with the following hospitals :

Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL
Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL and Rockledge, FL

Orthopaedic Surgeons
Devin K. Datta, MD

Dr. Datta is affiliated with the following hospitals:

Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL
Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL and Rockledge, FL

Neurosurgeons
Mitchell L. Supler, MD, FACS

Dr. Supler is affiliated with the following hospitals:

Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL
Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL and Rockledge, FL
Central Florida Regional Hospital – Sanford, FL
Providence Saint Peter Hospital – Olympia, WA

Deuk Spine Institute

8043 Spyglass Hill Road/
Melbourne, FL 32940
(321) 255-6670

836 Century Medical Drive
Titusville, FL 32796
(321) 383-8092.

6150 Metrowest Blvd, Suite 102
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 290-6322

Neurosurgeons
Dr. Ara J Deukmedjian, MD

Dr. Deukmedjian is affiliated with the following hospitals:

Parrish Medical Center – Titusville, FL
Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL

Orthopedic Center of Titusville

1855 Jess Parrish Ct.
Titusville, FL 32796
(321) 268-0291

Orthopaedic Surgeons
Joseph Rojas M.D.

Dr. Rojas is affiliated with the following hospitals:

Parrish Medical Center – Titusville, FL

Jonathan Paine, MD (Neurosurgeon)

1305 Valentine St.
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 727-2468

Dr. Paine is affiliated with the following hospitals:
Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, FL
Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL

Aaron Smith D.O. (Neurosurgeon)

5005 Port St John Pkwy
Cocoa, FL 32927
(321) 433-2247

Dr. Smith is affiliated with the following hospitals:

Parrish Medical Center – Titusville, FL

Space Coast Orthopaedic Center

220 North Sykes Creek Parkway, Suite 200
Merritt Island, FL 32953
(321) 459-1446

Orthopaedic Surgeons
Hani H. El-Kommos, MD., FRCS (C), FAAOS (Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery)

Hany F. Helmy, MD, FRCS (C), FAAOS

Dr. Helmy is affiliated with the following hospitals:

Cape Canaveral Hospital – Cape Canaveral, FL
Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, FL and Rockledge, FL

*Disclaimer: Couture Law P.A.’s website contains a variety of references to medical treatments and healthcare providers. These references are made solely for informational purposes and the convenience of the user. Couture Law P.A. does not control, review, approve or endorse these treatments or healthcare providers. If you decide to seek treatments or use the healthcare providers referenced, you do so entirely at your own risk. In addition, the treatments and healthcare resources referenced are in no way intended to represent an exhaustive listing or medical advice. Contact addresses, names, services and affiliations are subject to change and the user is strongly advised to independently verify all data.

Couture Law, P.A. represents bulging disc injury victims in Brevard County and its major cities, including Melbourne, Titusville, Palm Bay and surrounding cities and towns.

References:

NIOSH, CDC.gov
Herniated Disc, WebMD.com
TLIF Back Surgery, Spine-Health.com
ALIF, LowBack-Pain.com
Artificial Disc Replacement, Spine-Health.com