Herniated Disk Improves With Either Surgical or Nonsurgical Treatment (Medscape) November 21, 2006 — Patients with herniated disks had improved outcomes during 2 years whether treated surgically or nonsurgically, according to the results of a randomized trial with an accompanying observational cohort reported in the November 22/29 issue of JAMA.

Disk herniation is a rupture of fibrocartilagenous material (annulus fibrosis) that surrounds the intervertebral disk. This rupture involves the release of the disk's center portion containing a gelatinous substance called the nucleus pulposus. Pressure from the vertebrae above and below may cause the nucleus pulposus to be forced outward, placing pressure on a spinal nerve and causing considerable pain and damage to the nerve. This condition most frequently occurs in the lumbar region and is also commonly called herniated nucleus pulposus, prolapsed disk, ruptured intervertebral disk, or slipped disk.

Physical therapy for back and neck pain is the treatment of this pain using professionally accepted techniques and procedures carried out by a physical therapist.

Guideline. Purpose: to provide guidance to nursing staff and students on the specific post-operative care of a patient following a discectomy

Sciatica describes pain or discomfort in the distribution of the sciatic nerve or its components. This nerve runs from the lower part of the spinal cord, down the back of the leg, to the foot. Injury to, or pressure on, the sciatic nerve can cause the characteristic pain of sciatica—a sharp or burning pain that radiates from the lower back or hip, following the path of the sciatic nerve to the foot.

Guideline: Purpose: to provide guidance to nursing staff and students on the specific pre-operative care of a patient undergoing discectomy

Rural Nurse Organization Digital Library, Univ. Alabama

Care of the patient experiencing spinal surgery requires clear understanding of the normal anatomy, physiology, and functioning of the spine, as well as the effect of back pain and disability on human responses. Nurses must consider key assessments and interventions preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively to provide holistic care and recognize potential complications. Interdisciplinary care priorities with spinal surgery patients are addressed to promote uncomplicated rehabilitation and promotion of quality activities of daily living.

Spinal traction is the process of applying force through body weight, weights, and/or pulleys to draw apart the vertebrae of the spine.