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What Are Herniated Discs and Bulging Discs?
A disc is made up of two parts:
. Nucleus- the inside part of the disc that is soft and compressible
. Annulus- the outer portion or ring that contains the nucleus
Discs act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. They're composed of a tough outer layer of cartilage that surrounds a softer material in the center. It may help to think of them as miniature jelly doughnuts, exactly the right size to fit between your vertebrae.
A bulging disc simply extends outside the space it should normally occupy. The bulge typically affects a large portion of the disc, so it may look a little like a hamburger that's too big for its bun. The material within the disc will remain within the annulus.
The inner nucleus pushes out against the annulus causing the disc to bulge out of the confines of the disc space and project to some extent into the spinal canal which is behind the disc.
A herniated disk, on the other hand, results when a crack in the tough outer layer of cartilage allows some of the softer material inside to protrude out of the disc. Herniated discs are also called ruptured discs or slipped discs. With a disc herniation, the disc material actually breaks through the annulus of the disc. Some refer to herniated discs as "slipped", "ruptured" or "blown". Most of the time it is not known what caused the disc to herniate, but it is thought to occur from repetitive stress due to occupation, poor spinal posture and/or natural processes of aging and/or trauma.
A herniation begins when the inner nucleus pulposus bulges through the annulus fibrosis causing a bulging or protruding disc. This bulge may push on a spinal nerve. This interferes with the natural blood supply to the nerve roots and sets up a condition known as intraneural edema. Basically, the nerve root microcirculation is compressed and can progress to the point where the nucleus begins to leak out of the disc. At this point the body begins to fight back by launching an autoimmune response to the
in the legs or arms is referred to as a "radiculopathy". This happens because the nerves that exit your spinal cord innervate ("attach to") the skin in your arms and legs. They are responsible for sensation and for movement of the muscles in your arms and legs. They are also responsible for the reflexive movements as well. This is the reason some individuals with these conditions experience extremity (leg/arm) pain / numbness / tingling and/or weakness when they have a herniated or bulging disc. Be aware that some individuals with herniated discs may report arm or leg pain only with minimal neck or low back pain.
Common Problems Associated with Bulging and Herniated Discs
Leg Pain/Sciatica
o This pain is most commonly experienced at the outside of the thigh, the lower leg and/or the foot. Shooting pain that radiates down the leg is a common experience with herniated discs. Patients commonly report an electric shock type of symptom.
Parasthesias
o This is the medical word for abnormal sensations such as tingling, numbness, weakness or "pins and needles". These symptoms may be the result of a herniated disc and may be experienced in the same regions as painful sensations.
Muscle Weakness
o Signals from the brain may be interrupted due to nerve irritation. This can cause muscle weakness, usually of the leg/foot. Nerve irritation can be tested by examining the reflexes of the knee and ankle.
Bowel or Bladder Problems
o These symptoms are important because they may be a sign of Cauda Equina Syndrome. This condition is possibly caused by a herniated disc. This is a medical emergency! You must see a medical doctor immediately if you have problems urinating, having bowel movements or if you have numbness around your genitals. All of these symptoms are likely caused by irritation to one of the nerves as a result from a herniated disc.
Non-surgical spinal decompression can be very effective in treating these difficult conditions. The treatment results in an unloading of the offending disc structures, which in turn, creates a negative intradiscal pressure inside the disc.
This facilitates water and nutrient exchange into the disc thus allowing the injury to heal. It also can cause a vacuum-like effect, allowing the displaced materials to return to a more centralized position.
Over time this treatment allows collagen, one of the body's healing proteins, to form. Collagen can then repair the cracks and fissures in the annulus fibrosis. In addition, the inner matrix material of the disc becomes healthier with the exchange of water and nutrients. Spinal stabilization rehab exercises should follow a common sense spinal decompression therapy program. |
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