Orthopedic Physicians Can Help Truck Drivers With Herniated Discs

Back pain is a common problem for many truck drivers and may occur due to problems as serious as herniated discs. As a result, truckers may need to understand the benefits of visiting an orthopedic specialist and getting regular treatment for this persistent problem.

Herniated Discs May Affect Truck Drivers Without Treatment

Truck drivers who sit for hours every day and get minimal exercise may develop orthopedic problems like a herniated disc in their spine that an orthopedic treatment specialist may help treat. Without proper treatment, there's a good chance that these truck drivers may experience problems like:

• Troubling Neck Pain: A herniated disc may cause unnecessary neck pain in a truck driver, making it hard for them to look left and right while they drive and potentially cause serious accidents.
• Difficult Back Spasms: Back spasms due to herniated discs may cause unnecessary suffering in truck drivers and make it very hard for them to stay on the road and perform their duties.
• Stiff and Uncomfortable Shoulders: As herniated disc pain spreads through a truck driver's body, they may develop stiff and uncomfortable shoulders that make driving more difficult.
• Back and Core Weakness: Back and core muscles may weaken because of herniated discs, as truck drivers may do fewer strength-building exercises or take time off work to recover.

These problems are only likely to worsen before they get better if a truck driver simply tries to ignore them and stay away from treatment. Thankfully, orthopedic professionals fully understand common back and neck conditions and can help treat them before they worsen further.

How Orthopedic Specialists Help

Orthopedic treatment experts can help truck drivers with herniated discs in various ways. Their treatment process can:

• Identify the Disc: Orthopedic treatment specialists use various x-ray scans and other devices to identify the source of a truck driver's pain, including which disc is herniated.
• Provide Non-Invasive Treatments: When possible, orthopedic professionals use things like pain medication, physical therapy, and back supports that help a trucker's recovery.
• Monitor the Patient's Recovery: Regular checkups with the orthopedic professional let truck drivers report their recovery and get better back supports for their truck, if necessary.
• Surgically Repair the Injury: Truckers may need orthopedic surgery when the herniated disc doesn't repair itself over time or simply takes too long to recover. 

Truck drivers may need a treatment note from their orthopedic doctor that discusses their treatment and explains why they may need some time off. These notes can help truckers get temporary disability or even workers' compensation from their trucking company while they recover.

Contact an orthopedic doctor for more information.