Herniated Disc Treatment in Lancaster, PA

What is a herniated disc?

Between each of the bones (vertebrae) in your spine sits a cushioning disc with a soft, gel-like center and a tougher outer ring. A herniated disc — sometimes called a slipped, bulging, or ruptured disc — happens when some of that soft center pushes through a weak spot in the outer ring. When the displaced material presses on a nearby nerve, it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness that travels well beyond the spine itself.

Herniated discs most often occur in the lower back (lumbar spine) or neck (cervical spine), and they are one of the most common causes of back and neck pain we treat at Argires Specialty Group in Lancaster, PA.

Symptoms of a herniated disc

Symptoms depend on where the disc is and whether it presses on a nerve. Common signs include:

• Radiating pain — sharp or burning pain that travels into an arm (from the neck) or down the leg, known as sciatica (from the lower back).
• Numbness or tingling in the area served by the affected nerve.
• Muscle weakness that may cause you to stumble or affect your grip.
• Pain that worsens with certain positions, coughing, sneezing, or sitting for long periods.

Seek emergency care if you develop loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or rapidly worsening leg weakness — these can signal a serious condition requiring urgent treatment.

What causes a herniated disc?

Discs naturally lose water content and flexibility with age, which makes them more prone to herniation from everyday strain. Lifting with the back rather than the legs, sudden twisting, repetitive motions, excess body weight, and physically demanding work can all contribute. Sometimes a herniation follows a specific injury; often it develops gradually with no single cause.

How we diagnose a herniated disc

Diagnosis begins with a thorough history and a physical exam that tests your reflexes, strength, and sensation to locate the affected nerve. When imaging is needed, an MRI provides a detailed view of the discs and nerves; a CT scan or X-ray may also be used. Our spine specialists correlate your imaging with your symptoms so treatment targets the true source of your pain — not just what shows up on a scan.

Herniated disc treatment options

The great majority of herniated discs improve without surgery. We start conservative and escalate only if needed:

• Activity modification & physical therapy to reduce irritation and strengthen the muscles that support your spine.
• Medications to manage pain and inflammation during recovery.
• Epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation around the compressed nerve, often coordinated with our pain management team.
• Minimally invasive spine surgery (such as microdiscectomy) to remove the disc fragment pressing on the nerve — using small incisions for less tissue damage and a faster recovery.
• Disc replacement in select cases; Dr. Perry Argires is a leading regional expert in artificial disc replacement.

Your plan is individualized and decided together after evaluation. The goal is durable relief with the least-invasive approach appropriate for your condition.

Request an appointment or call (717) 358-0800 to have your symptoms evaluated by our spine team.