A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its outer fibrous ring and irritates or compresses a nearby nerve. It is one of the most common causes of neck and back pain, arm pain, leg pain, and sciatica — and responds well to both conservative and surgical treatment in the right patients.
What are the symptoms?
- Sharp, shooting pain radiating from the neck into the arm or from the low back into the leg (sciatica)
- Numbness or tingling in the hand, fingers, foot, or toes
- Muscle weakness in the arm or leg served by the compressed nerve
- Neck pain or low back pain that worsens with bending, lifting, or prolonged sitting
- Pain that is worse in one position and relieved by others (e.g., better lying down, worse standing)
What causes it?
- Age-related degeneration: Discs lose water content and flexibility over time, making them more prone to tearing
- Mechanical stress: Repetitive bending, lifting, or twisting can cause the outer ring to tear and allow herniation
- Trauma: A sudden forceful event such as a fall or car accident can cause an acute disc herniation
- Genetic predisposition: Some individuals inherit disc tissue that is more prone to herniation
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a clinical history and physical examination to identify which nerve root is affected based on the pattern of pain, numbness, and weakness. MRI is the gold standard imaging study — it confirms the location and size of the herniation and its relationship to the adjacent nerve root. CT myelogram may be added when MRI findings are equivocal or when the patient cannot undergo MRI.
Your Non-Surgical Roadmap — Surgery Is the Last Step
Most patients with this condition get better without surgery. Here's the path Dr. Chavarria follows before an operation is ever on the table:
- 1
Start conservative
Physical therapy, activity changes, anti-inflammatory or nerve medication, and time — the first line for nearly every spine condition.
- 2
Add targeted relief
If symptoms persist, image-guided injections (epidural or nerve blocks) can calm inflammation and pinpoint the source of pain — often avoiding surgery entirely.
- 3
Re-evaluate together
Dr. Chavarria reviews your progress and imaging with you, honestly, and explains exactly where you stand — no pressure, no rush to the OR.
- 4
Surgery — only if it's truly the best option
Reserved for severe or worsening nerve compression, instability, or when conservative care has had a fair chance. When it is right, you'll understand why and what to expect.
Treatment Options in Reno, NV — Conservative Care First
The majority of lumbar disc herniations improve with conservative treatment including rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and epidural steroid injections over 6–12 weeks. For patients who do not improve or who have severe neurological deficits, Dr. Chavarria offers minimally invasive microdiscectomy — a highly effective outpatient surgery that removes the herniated fragment and relieves nerve compression. Cervical disc herniations causing arm pain or cord compression are treated with ACDF or cervical disc replacement depending on the patient's age, number of levels, and anatomy.
Treatment Procedures
Lumbar Microdiscectomy
Lumbar microdiscectomy is one of the most effective and commonly performed spine surgeries. Through a small incision, the herniated portion of the disc that is pressing on a nerve is removed — typically providing immediate relief from leg pain, numbness, and weakness. Most patients are discharged home within a few hours.
Learn More →Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses specialized instruments and a small incision — often less than an inch — to treat many spine conditions with less muscle disruption than traditional open surgery. Most patients go home the same day and return to daily activities in weeks rather than months.
Learn More →ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion)
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is one of the most commonly performed and consistently successful spine surgeries. Through a small incision in the front of the neck, the damaged cervical disc is removed, the nerve is decompressed, and the vertebrae are fused — eliminating the source of neck and arm pain.
Learn More →Cervical Disc Replacement (Arthroplasty)
Cervical disc replacement (cervical arthroplasty) removes a diseased cervical disc and replaces it with an FDA-approved artificial disc implant — preserving the natural motion of that spinal segment rather than fusing the vertebrae together. For the right candidate, this motion-preserving approach may reduce stress on adjacent levels over time.
Learn More →