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When a spinal disc has a tear in its outer, fibrous ring, a portion of the disc's gel-like nucleus may protrude. Doctors refer to this as a disc herniation, ruptured disc or prolapsed disc. These tears always occur in the rear portion of the spine, usually to one side, medically called postero-lateral. The lowest and second-to-lowest discs, called L5-S1 and L4-L5 respectively, are the discs most likely to become herniated.
Before a disc herniates, the fibrous ring has usually weakened and begun to bulge. Sometimes heavy lifting precedes a herniation, but other times patients cannot pinpoint a specific event as the cause. Disc herniations are most common in middle-aged adults.
A ruptured disc is often excruciatingly painful. When a disc herniates, inflammatory chemicals are released that irritate the spinal nerve root. This produces shooting pain down the affected nerve, often down the buttocks and one leg. The protruding portion of the disc can also compresses the nerve root, causing numbness or weakness of a foot, ankle or leg. If the ruptured disc is in the neck, arm and hand numbness or weakness can result.
Although the symptoms can be alarming, the vast majority of herniated discs heal within one to six weeks. If there is no weakness, patients can even wait 12 weeks or longer for the disc to heal. A small percentage of herniations do not heal on their own and require surgery. If a disc herniation causes bladder or bowel incontinence and numbness in the inner thighs, it is called cauda equina syndrome and considered a medical emergency. Emergency surgery is usually required to prevent permanent incontinence.
The majority of disc herniations are treated conservatively. Patients are told to alternate lying down and walking, while avoiding sitting and standing. They may also receive physical therapy and steroid injections into the nerve root to alleviate pain.
Surgery can be effective, but it is a last resort. The gold standard is a microdiscectomy, which can be either an open procedure or a minimally-invasive laparascopic operation. In a microdiscectomy, a portion of the disc nucleus is removed, relieving pressure on the nerve. Possible long-term complications include pain from scar tissue adhering to the nerve and further disc deterioration from removing part of the nucleus.
What else can I help you with?
What is small central disc herniation indenting the ventral margin of the the the thecal sac?
A broad herniation means that at least 25% of the disc is affected. A central herniation means that the herniation is toward the spinal column. A broad central herniation of the disc with impingement on the thecal sac is a herniation in which a large portion of the disc is protruding toward the spinal column and is pressing against the membrane which surrounds the spinal cord.
What does herniation of a vertebral disc involve?
When a disc herniates, the jellylike substance pushes through and causes the harder outer ring (annulus fibrosus) to compress a nerve root in the spinal cord. Herniation of a vertebral disc can cause varying degrees of pain
What is focal spinal stenosis?
Focal spinal stenosis is a condition that happens with the aging of the human body. It is the progressive narrowing of the spinal canal which can lead to disc herniation and degenerative diseases.
What is posterior herniation?
Posterior herniation is when a disc in the spine becomes damaged and bulges outward from the spinal column toward the back. Common causes are work related injury and age.
What could cause a person to need spinal disc surgery?
Spinal disc surgery is usually required because of herniation. This occurs when a person strains his or her spine but feels pains in the knee, and other joints or the leg.
What is broad shallow disc herniation at c6-c7 larger near the midline with encroachment upon the thecal sac and spinal cord?
wide herniation that is larger at center mid-line pushing the disc out and beginning to but not yet touch or push on the thecal sac.
What is intraforaminal disc herniation at L3-4?
Intraforaminal disc herniation at L3-4 refers to a condition where the intervertebral disc between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae bulges or ruptures into the foramen, the space through which spinal nerves exit the spinal column. This herniation can compress nearby spinal nerves, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back, hips, or legs. Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies like MRI, and treatment options may include physical therapy, medication, or, in severe cases, surgery.
What is a midline posterior disc herniation at t7-t8?
A midline posterior disc herniation at the T7-T8 level refers to a condition where the intervertebral disc between the seventh and eighth thoracic vertebrae bulges or protrudes towards the back (posterior) and center (midline) of the spine. This herniation can compress nearby spinal nerves or the spinal cord, potentially leading to symptoms such as back pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the upper body. Treatment options may include physical therapy, pain management, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention.
What is a left parasagittal disc herniation?
A left parasagittal disc herniation occurs when the intervertebral disc protrudes towards the left side of the spinal canal, often affecting the nerves that exit the spine in that area. This type of herniation can lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness in the corresponding arm or leg, depending on the affected spinal region. It is typically diagnosed through imaging studies like MRI and may require treatment options ranging from physical therapy to surgical intervention, depending on the severity of symptoms.
What is a T1-T2 disc herniation?
A T1-T2 disc herniation is a herniation that happens in the middle or lower back. This will cause extreme pain and possible numbness in the limbs.
What does no significant disc herniation mean?
You have a disc between two nearby vertebrae. The disc is composed of outer ring of fibrous tissue. It is called as annulus fibrosus. There is soft gel like substance inside the outer ring. It is called as nucleus pulposus. sometimes this soft substance get leaked out. It may compress the nerve root. This process is called as disc herniation. It is not present in your case. That is nice finding.
What is C6-C7 herniation?
A herniated disc
