Herniated disc

Herniated disc; The herniated discs located between the vertebrae act as protective cushions that absorb shocks. These discs may herniate due to an injury, crack, or tear in the outer part of the herniated disc. A herniated disc allows the inner gelatinous part of the disc to leak through the outer fibrous part of the disc into the surrounding tissue. This gelatinous part of the disc can cause pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerves, resulting in symptoms, the most important of which is pain, numbness, or weakness around the affected herniated disc or along the area. It is fed by the nerve that was exposed to pressure due to the herniated disc. The most common place affected by a herniated disc is the lower back. However, an injury to the herniated disc may occur anywhere along the spine, including the herniated discs between the cervical vertebrae.

Overview

Statistics on herniated disc

Reasons

Symptoms and signs

When to seek medical help

Tests

Treatment

Prevention

The fate of the disease

The herniated discs located between the vertebrae act as protective cushions that absorb shocks. These discs may herniate due to an injury, crack, or tear in the outer part of the herniated disc. A herniated disc allows the inner gelatinous part of the disc to leak through the outer fibrous part of the disc into the surrounding tissue.

Estimates suggest that 1 to 5% of all people will experience back pain caused by a herniated disc at some time in their lives.

A herniated disc in the lower back causes pain in the back area of the thigh, extending from the buttock to the knee. It may also extend to the outer part of the leg located under the knee and to the outer side of the foot. This pain is called “sciatica,” because the sciatic nerve is affected by the herniated disc in the lower back. Numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the buttock or back may occur, or numbness and tingling around the anus and genitals. The pain increases with movement, coughing, or raising the leg, and there may also be difficulty in Control of urine or stool.

When there is neck pain or back pain, its severity reaches the point of limiting activity and movement.

Regular x-rays - as well as CT scans - do not show a herniated disc, but only show abnormalities in the bone. These x-rays are used to evaluate back pain for reasons other than a herniated disc, such as bone displacement, tumors, and fractures of the vertebrae. They may also be used to determine the cause of the disease and evaluate the condition in later stages.

MRI images show the defect in the herniated disc and the extent of damage to the nerve resulting from the pressure placed on it due to a herniated disc.