Proudly Serving: Orange County
Dr. Verma confirms the true source of your pain through detailed exams and advanced imaging — and recommends surgery only when it truly fits your anatomy, symptoms, and goals.
Years of Orthopedic Experience
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Star Patient Rating Across 300+ Reviews
Precise diagnosis grounded in imaging and symptom mapping
Conservative care first, most patients avoid surgery
Minimally invasive, motion-preserving options when surgery is needed
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in its outer layer. When that material presses on a nearby nerve root or the spinal cord, it can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels away from the spine and into an arm or leg.
Herniated discs happen most often in the lumbar spine (lower back) and the cervical spine (neck). Some resolve with time and conservative care. Others continue to compress the nerve and require specialist evaluation to prevent lasting damage.
A herniated disc diagnosis is confirmed through physical exam and advanced imaging — most often MRI — which shows the exact disc level involved and the nerve being affected.
Dr. Verma confirms the disc is the true source of symptoms before recommending any treatment plan.
Conditions he treats include:
Not every herniated disc needs surgery — and not every herniated disc resolves with rest. Dr. Verma reviews your symptoms, exam findings, and imaging to confirm the disc is the source of pain and to determine the least invasive treatment likely to work for your case.
Imaging studies may include X-rays, MRI, and CT scans. Additional testing may include flexion-extension views and nerve conduction studies when symptoms suggest nerve involvement.
He reviews each finding with you and explains why conservative care, a minimally invasive procedure, or surgical treatment is the right next step for your case.
Each patient experiences a herniated disc differently. Dr. Verma begins with conservative treatment and advances to surgery only when symptoms persist, worsen, or limit daily function.
Conservative care may include physical therapy focused on spine mechanics, activity modification, image-guided injections when appropriate, and positions that calm nerve irritation.
When conservative options do not relieve symptoms, or when weakness is progressing, Dr. Verma performs minimally invasive herniated disc surgery using real-time imaging and computer-assisted navigation for surgical accuracy.
Herniated disc symptoms may present as:
Persistent lumbar pain that does not settle with conservative care.
Ongoing cervical pain that limits rotation and daily comfort.
Pain that travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand from a cervical disc.
Pain that radiates into the buttock, thigh, or calf from a lumbar disc.
Reduced strength in the arm, hand, leg, or foot on the affected side.
Decreased sensation in the hand, foot, or limb.
Pins and needles in the limbs.
Stiffness that limits bending, turning, or lifting.
Symptoms that persist despite therapy, injections, and time.
Schedule an evaluation with a Marina del Rey herniated disc specialist when symptoms persist despite physical therapy, injections, or home care.
If pain lasts longer than six weeks, radiates into a limb, wakes you at night, or interferes with work and daily life, a specialist can confirm the diagnosis and determine whether conservative care, a minimally invasive procedure, or surgery is appropriate.
Progressive weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control is a medical emergency and should be evaluated immediately.
Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with advanced fellowship training and extensive research publication history.
Specialized training in complex spinal deformity correction for children and adults.
Real-time CT guidance and computer-assisted navigation support precise surgical work.
Dr. Verma reviews imaging with patients and explains each finding during the consultation.
Treatment is available for patients ages four and older, including children and teens.
Most herniated disc patients do not need surgery. Dr. Verma exhausts conservative care first and recommends surgery only when symptoms persist, weakness is progressing, or nerve compression warrants it.
A bulging disc pushes outward evenly without a tear. A herniated disc has a tear in its outer layer, allowing inner material to leak out and press on a nerve — which is why herniated discs more often cause radiating pain, numbness, or weakness.
Yes. Dr. Verma evaluates and treats herniated discs in both the neck and the lower back.
Recovery varies by procedure. Minimally invasive herniated disc surgery typically allows return to desk work within 1–2 weeks and gradual return to full activity over 4–8 weeks.
Dr. Verma frequently evaluates patients with recurrent symptoms after prior treatment. Bring your operative reports and imaging so he can review everything and give you an honest assessment.
If you’re looking for a Marina del Rey herniated disc specialist, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Kushagra Verma at Advanced Spine Care.
He diagnoses herniated disc conditions with careful testing, treats them with conservative care first, and performs minimally invasive, motion-preserving surgery only when it fits your diagnosis and goals.
