What is a disc herniation?
Intervertebral discs are located between each vertebral body in the spine. They act as shock absorbers between each vertebra and allow a small amount of motion between any two vertebrae. Discs consist of two parts, a hard outer layer and a soft central core.
A tear or break in the outer layer may allow leakage of the soft central portion into the spinal canal causing irritation or pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots at that level. This is called a disc herniation or ruptured disc.
Herniated discs can occur at any level in the spine but occur more frequently in the lumbar (low back) area. The next most common area is in the cervical (neck) spine region, followed by the thoracic (mid back) spine area.
What causes herniated discs?
A disc herniation can occur due to an injury. Discs can degenerate as a part of the normal aging process. As discs continue to degenerate they become more susceptible to injury.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
Symptoms may include neck or back pain, arm or leg pain, arm or leg numbness, and/or loss of bowel or bladder control. The symptoms vary depending on the amount of herniation and the level in the spine where it occurs.
What treatments are available for herniated discs?
Most patients find relief from non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, activity modification, and non-steroidal antiinflammatory medications. If the disc herniation is more severe, surgery may be required. A discectomy, where the portion of the disc compressing the nerve is removed, is the most common surgical procedure used to treat herniated disc.
|
