Diagnosis
Physical examination
- A physical examination is given first to the patient, checking signs and symptoms thoroughly.
Imaging:
· CT scan, CAT scan or MIR
- Is a medical imaging device use to get a three-dimensional image of the spine to check and diagnose the patient herniated disc problem.
· Myelogram
- Is being done to diagnose pathology on the spine and also to indentify the exact location and the size of the herniated disc.
· Electromyogram (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS)
- EMG and NCS is being done to evaluate the function of the sensory nerve, test the electrical impulse along nerve roots and to point out if there is damage on the nerve.
Prognosis
Almost all of herniated disc problems are fully healed within a month or years without surgical treatment. Patient with severe disc herniation will be fully healed for a much longer period of time; mostly it would takes 2-4years for it to be fully healed. A non severe disc herniation will be fully healed within 6-7 weeks. Most patients with disk herniation are able to go back and do their daily works and activities in just a day. A disc herniation once fully healed, signs and symptoms don’t come back. Patients that experience disc herniation and fully healed should take care of their self and should take extra precaution to avoid re-injuring there spinal disc again.
