What is Spinal Fluid Leak?

Spinal fluid leak or CSF leak occurs if the membrane which enclosed the spinal fluid around the central nervous system is punctured. The membrane is quite tough but it can be damaged during surgery for chronic back pain. CSF is the one that protects and insulates the brain from all kinds of harm. To be exact the brain actually floats in CSF thus when leak happens, the brain can sink down in the skull placing pressure in neurological tissues. CSF is being produced daily but if there is a leak, the CSF that is produce may not be enough to compensate what is lost which may result to serious symptoms.

Symptoms of Spinal Fluid Leak

Symptoms vary from one individual. It depends on the severity of the leak. One may experience one of the symptoms or may experience all of the symptoms which includes sensory impairments, weakness or numbness in muscles of the face; nausea, vertigo and dizziness; and severe headache when in upright position and decrease pain when reclining. In rare instances stroke or even death occurs.

Spinal Fluid Leak After Back Surgery

Spinal fluid leak is quite common to back pain sufferers who undergo back surgery or epidural injections. In delivering the medications through epidural injections, the needle sometimes punctures the dura membrane. The puncture may heal on its own in a few days but there are cases where it won’t heal that fast and may develop to other serious condition.

Another common cause of spinal fluid leak is spinal surgery. Whenever the spine is under surgical procedure, the risk of damaging the membrane is always present even if it is minimally invasive still leaks are common complications. Most cases may heal on their own but there are some cases where it might require another surgery to correct it.

Fortunately one study showed that membrane tears can be managed through placement of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid leak shunt during the procedure or after or can be managed by observation alone (Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2008).

Cervical Spondylosis

This condition is the continuing tear and wears changes due to advance age. This is often referred to as degenerative spine disease. Most of this condition can be identified through the traditional X-rays and other imaging examinations. Conditions like calcification of disc, narrowing of disc space, bulging of the shape of the disc and bone spurs can be clearly seen in this imaging device.

Cervical Disc Herniation

The disc is located in between the vertebrae. This disc consist of two layers that is the outer layer which is tough and the inner layer which is made up of a gel like material. An injury to the outer layer may change the shape of the disc especially if the inner material is pushed out to the outer layer. This condition is called disc herniation. When this injured disc compressed a nerve then it can result to pain.

Diagnosis of Cervical Radiculopathy

Evaluation and Diagnosis of Cervical Radiculopathy always starts with a physical examination by the doctor. With a thorough and careful physical examination the condition may be detected along of course with the symptoms of the patient.

Also traditional X-rays and MRI will show the bony spur formation in the nerve foramen. CT scans and MRI can show soft tissue structures like the nerves, discs which cannot be seen in X rays thus most conditions can be accurately diagnose or identified in this scans. Most important thing is these findings will be associated with the patient’s symptoms. Unfortunately there is a finding that a high rate of spondylosis and disc herniation occurs in individual who never experience any symptoms at all (J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1991)

Non-Surgical Treatment

There are several studies that support for the non-surgical treatment of cervical radiculopathy. There are studies that showed that cervical radiculopathy improves without resorting to surgery at all. In fact two studies showed that cervical radiculopathy has significantly improved using non-invasive form of treatment after repeated of scans ( Spine Journal, 2003). Other studies showed significant improvement of cervical radiculopathy treated with non-surgical therapies like using anti-inflammatory, epidural steroid injections, physical therapy, oral corticosteroids and brace ( Eur.Spine J 1996, Spine, 1996)

Fortunately most patients recover from cervical radiculopathy using the non-surgical form of treatment although there are instances that pain still continues despite the traditional treatment. If this is the case then surgical treatment may be recommended

A bulging disc actually expands than it normally is. The bulge do affects a large part of the disc so that it may look like a burger patty that is too big than its bun. The part of the disc that is bulging is the hard outer layer of the disc. This can be clearly seen in MRI’s.

On the other hand, herniated disc occurs when a there is a crack in the outer layer of the disc so that the inner soft material of the disc leaks out thus it protrudes out of the disc. This is also called slipped disc or ruptured disc.

Knowing the difference between bulging disc and herniated disc, let’s check the symptoms of bulging disc according to Laser Spine Institute.

Bulging disc symptoms differ from one patient to another. The major factor that will identify the symptoms of bulging disc is the severity of the injury as well as the spot of the disc. Where the pain is depends on which disc is damage or weakened and the severity of the pain depends on how much the disc is compressing the nerves.

Bulging disc symptoms appears when the bulge starts to puts pressure in the nerves. The symptoms usually start where the point of pressure is and will spread out wherever the affected nerve root travels. The following are symptoms of bulging disc.

• Bulging disc in the lumbar spine section includes pain that spreads from the lower back to the buttocks, down to the legs and feet. Bulging disc in the lower back might result to sciatica.
• Bulging disc in the middle back or the thoracic spine may cause pain to spread anywhere from the upper thigh up to the chest.
• Bulging disc in the neck or cervical spine may include numbness, tingling and pain from the neck that radiates down to the shoulders, chest, arms, hands and fingers

So whenever you feel any of the symptoms of disc bulge above then consult your doctor so that proper identification of the problem is done. If your doctor has identified that the symptoms are from bulging disc then they will most likely recommend conservative treatment like physical therapy, exercise, heat applications, injections and medications. If all else fail then that is the time that back surgery might be considered.

There are various treatment of bulging disc depending on the severity of the condition. But this treatment only offers temporary relief. In order to relieve you from any discomfort or pain it is important that your doctor can find the real cause and treat it thus disc bulge treatment should be started the moment the real cause is identified.

Treatment of Bulging Disc

Pain Relievers Medication

The most common medications you find for bulging disc are anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone injection direct to the spinal canal, pain killers and muscle relaxants can help ease the pain felt from bulging disc. One downside is that the moment you stop taking it, the pain will come back. Taking it only cures the symptoms not the real cause of the pain. Know too that there are side effects in taking these medications for a long period of time thus it is important that you consult your doctor before taking any medication.

Chiropractic and Physical Therapy

You can find various techniques in chiropractic that can be use to ease bulging disc. The most common use procedure is spinal manipulation and traction which has a high percentage of success. If coupled with a good physical therapy then the result will be just great. The most common therapy to use in combination with chiropractic are some stretching and strengthening exercise, ice and hot packs, ultrasound and therapeutic massage.

Spinal Decompression Method

It is a non-drug and non-surgical alternative in treating bulging disc. It is proven to be highly successful in treating the real cause of the problem. It actually brings back the health of the disc thus brings the bulging back to its normal place letting the spine to heal naturally.

You will find several studies that supports non-surgical spinal decompression is effective in treating ruptured or bulging disc. One study showed that eighty-six percent of patients with ruptured intervertebral disc have “good” to “excellent” relief ( AJPM 1997).

Surgery

Surgery is not at all recommended thus it is only taken as your last option. If all the above methods fails then you still have one last option left and that is surgery. But you have to think it over carefully and consider the risks against the benefits that you get from it.

Identifying the real cause and treating it will eventually free you from any back discomfort and pain thus it is important that you do not only cure the symptoms but target the real cause of the problem.

A bulging disc can be very uncomfortable and painful. To some the pain can be unbearable but fortunately this pain can be taken cared of without resorting to surgery. It is important that you have full knowledge of what you are suffering from that way you are well prepared on how to deal with it and manage it.

Treatment for bulging disc depends on the severity of the condition but the usual ways of treating bulging disc are the following;

Rest for a day followed by slow mobilization. Limit your activities for the day and get some bed rest but do not stay too long in bed for it might worsen your condition. Move around and go on doing your daily chores, just do not overdo it.

Pain medications. Doctors do prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation as well as pain relievers to lessen the pain.

Chiropractic. So far chiropractic is the best treatment for bulging disc. A chiropractor can administer the right bulging disc treatment. The treatment includes massaging along with some re-adjustment and re-alignment.

Physical Therapy. Another highly recommended treatment for bulging disc is through Physical therapy. It is important though for you to consult your doctor so that your doctor can create the right program that would answer your needs. Physical therapy do use different methods like Traction, massage therapy, stretching exercises, ultrasound therapy, and ice and heat therapy. One of this might just work for you and your doctor will be the one to help you decide which therapy would best work for you.

Epidural steroid injections. Epidural consists of corticosteroid and an anesthetic numbing agent. This can reduce inflammation and can be very effective. It definitely brings pain relief for a long period of time.

Of course there is one option if all this traditional methods fail and that is surgery. But as much as possible try to consider the above bulging disc treatment before you make any decision if you really need a surgery or not.

Spinal decompression therapy is the use of a machine or treatment to relieve pressure on the spine caused by disc disorders such as degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, including herniated, bulging or protruding discs and sciatica. Spinal disc decompression can be accomplished by a variety of procedures, used to treat specific causes of spinal compression. Traditional open-back surgery methods have been used for decades, and are only about 60% effective but they come with many risks.

Spinal decompression machines are therapy for chronic back pain.

The Safest method

The safest and non-invasive form of spinal decompression is when therapy is performed by a qualified professional using a decompression machine which is especially effective for the treatment of herniated or bulging discs. More room in the spinal canal is created by spinal disc decompression, as the spinal cord and nerves are relieved of the bone or tissue that was pressing on the nerve causing the pain. This therapy can relieve back pain or neck pain. This treatment, Spinal decompression therapy normally takes from 15 to 24 treatment sessions. Professional spinal decompression therapy is covered by most insurance policies under rehabilitation. Professional therapy results are always better than trying to do it yourself at home.

Spinal Decompression Machines

The DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Machine is the most widely used non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option for chronic lower back pain US and is approved by the FDA. It is used by chiropractors in over 20 countries. This machine helps reduce pain caused by herniated and bulging discs which cause severe back pain by pressing on the nerves in the spine. The DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Machine gently stretches portions of the spine to promote proper alignment and relieves the pressure on the affected nerve or nerves. The DRX9000 Spinal Decompression machine frees up space between the vertebrae and damaged spinal discs, giving them a chance to heal. The DRX9000 consists of a table that uses motors and rollers to manipulate the spinal column at exact locations, using a method of spinal decompression. This machine gives patients a choice against surgery and other alternatives. Tests and trials done by the manufacturer prove an 88 % complete success rate after use of this machine and the full treatment program.

The DRX9000C. This unit, like the DRX9000, is designed to relieve neck, shoulder or cervical pain.  The "C" in the machine's name stands for combo, because it includes the features of the DRX9000 in combination with Axiom's innovative headrest unit. This headrest unit attaches to the DRX9000 with the aim of relieving tension at the root of the Cervical or shoulder pain. Cutting edge technology is used to monitor pressure and forces applied to the patient’s cervical spinal area. That way, pinpointed treatment can provided to the patients' affected discs. This allows for more effective treatment of chronic back pain, neck pain, and leg pain,  caused by spinal compression.

The DRX9500 is another spinal decompression machine from Axiom International. This is a stand alone unit with a fixed headrest unit and is used for treating patients with chronic cervical pain. This machine provides the same pinpoint accuracy and relief from pain that the DRX9000C does.  In addition to the features found in its more common models, the DRX9500 also uses a table with rollers and motors applying cyclic forces to the affected area. This reduces the build up of pressure in between the intravertabral discs that have been either damaged or weakened. Doing so can help to increase the effect of the spinal decompression therapy and potentially reduce the treatment time.

EPS8000 This machine is used for providing electrical stimulation therapy. This therapy is suggested as an additional therapy for spinal decompression patients. The electrical stimulation therapy reduces the patient’s pain perception thus making it easier to manipulate the vertebrae during Decompression therapy. How this works is that an electrical current is sent to a specific area which can be either a single muscle or small group of muscles, and the charge causes the muscle to contract. Healing is induced by stimulating this contraction of the muscle, with either a gentle or forceful current, which induces the muscle to strengthen itself by promoting the supply of blood flow to the treated area which will dramatically increase the rate of healing. Direct Digital Synthesis, which produces higher resolution and smoother feeling currents thus ensuring maximum impact from the treatments. This type of treatment has become a very common adjunct to various types of physical therapy.

The Process of Spinal Decompression Therapy

The process the patient goes through when undergoing spinal decompression begins with the patient lying on a therapeutic table that is hooked up to a computer that sends electronic information to stretch and decompress the spinal structure. A padded harness is worn by the patient, and during the spinal decompression session, gentle force is applied to the spinal column, focusing on the area for treatment. This process pressure is applied decompressing the spine, the intervertebral discs and the joints. The patient experiences multiple cycles of treatment in each spinal decompression therapy session. These cycles take between two to three minutes each. This pressure is what decompresses the intervertebral discs. The machine is monitored by a technician, but the process is fully automated by the computer. Even though relief is gained by each therapy session, the patient should complete the full treatment cycle plan to gain maximum healing of the injured disc, and full benefit from the therapy.

Home Back Decompression Machines

There are also a number of "home back decompression machines" on the market. Also known as spinal inversion tables, these really are a different class of product from the professional spinal decompression machines used by professionals, but they can provide relief to many individuals. They can be used on their own, for people who cannot afford insurance, but are preferably used in addition to the care of a medical professional.

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