If a herniated disc causes pain and limits an individual's ability to move or sit still for long periods of time, he or she may be considered unable to perform unskilled work and would qualify for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Yes, a herniated disc is considered a disability by the SSA if you are unable to work for at least 12 months due to the condition. For the SSA to consider your herniated disc a disability, you will need to provide evidence that your herniated disc meets a Blue Book listing to qualify for disability benefits.
Most people are able to work with a herniated disc but if the pain gets too severe you may have to take time off until the pain, numbness and tingling resolve. That may take up to six weeks.
Once a healthy disc herniates, it will never return to its normal anatomical state—the disease or injury is permanent in nature.
The median compensation payout for a herniated disc injury is between $80,000 to $150,000. Very serious herniated disc injuries (involving major complications) can be worth more than twice this amount. Remember, we are talking about civil personal injury claims.
If you have a herniated lumbar disc, you may feel pain that radiates from your low back area, down one or both legs, and sometimes into your feet (called sciatica). You may feel a pain like an electric shock that is severe whether you stand, walk, or sit.
In about a week, most patients are able to return to work; those with very physical jobs will need to wait until they have fully recovered, however. Full recovery usually occurs in about 8 weeks, and at that time patients can go about all their normal physical activities with no restrictions.
The healing time for a herniated disc depends on the exact nature of the injury and symptoms, and can last from just a few days to months, according to Gbolabo Sokunbi, M.D., Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
If you leave a herniated disc untreated, you may experience intense, sharp pains, partial paralysis, or the inability to control bowel movements in relatively dire situations.
In order to be considered a 'disability,' your back pain must involve, among others, one of the following: Herniated discs. Compressed nerves. Degenerative disc disease.
Rarely, disk herniation can compress the entire spinal canal, including all the nerves of the cauda equina. In rare instances, emergency surgery might be required to avoid permanent weakness or paralysis. Seek emergency medical attention if you have: Worsening symptoms.
Living with a herniated disc
Your chances of getting better are good. Most people who have a herniated disc are better in about 4 weeks. Sometimes it takes longer. If you still have pain or numbness after 4 to 6 weeks, or if you feel worse, talk with your doctor.
The good news is that in most cases — 90% of the time — pain caused by a herniated disc will go away on its own within six months. Initially, your doctor will likely recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever and limit activities that cause pain or discomfort.
Stages three and four: disc extrusion and sequestration
In the final stage, not only does the nucleus leak out, but it begins dripping out of the disc. In stages three and four, pain is often accompanied by tingling, numbness, and weakness in the nearby tissues.
A small bulge may be considered 1-3 millimeters, whereas anything over 4 millimeters is considered moderate. A bulge of 7 millimeters +, is considered severe. When the jelly starts displacing backwards, it causes the outer covering to bulge out and it may put pressure on the nerve roots at that level.
After a slipped disk in one area of your spine, with or without having a surgery called diskectomy, most people recover in 1 to 6 months. You must do exercises to strengthen the muscles that surround your spine and hip for a safe return to sports. Many people are able to return to a competitive level of sports.
Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it generally protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots. The irritation can be from compression of the nerve or, much more commonly, the herniation causes a painful inflammation of the nerve root.
A bulging disc may cause low-level chronic pain due to impingement on the spinal cord or spinal nerves, which is usually not as severe as with a herniated disc due to its gradual onset. A pinched nerve arises when a nerve is compressed by a surrounding structure, disrupting its conduction of electrical signals.
How serious is a L5-S1 Disc Herniation? Disc herniation is a serious condition that can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. If the herniated disc presses on the spinal cord or nerves, it can cause more severe symptoms such as bowel or bladder control loss, paralysis, or difficulty walking.
An untreated herniated disk can get worse. That's especially true if you continue the activities that caused it — for instance, if it developed because of your work. A worsening ruptured disk may cause chronic (ongoing) pain and loss of control or sensation in the affected area.
According to Spine Universe, chiropractic care is a non-surgical option for herniated disc treatment. This makes choosing a chiropractor to address problems with a herniated disc a viable option if you want to avoid undergoing any surgical procedures.
A herniated disk can happen to anyone, but the condition is most common among males and people aged from 30–50 years .
If your chronic back pain is preventing you from performing the essential duties of your job, you may qualify for long-term disability (LTD). Chronic back pain is a common symptom. Spine injuries and other medical conditions can cause severe back pain.