Spine Anatomy: Your spine serves the essential functions of providing your body support and structure, allowing you to stand, bend, and twist.
The spine also protects your spinal cord part of your central nervous system which is a highway of nerve signals allowing you to move and feel sensations. The spine is comprised of 33 bones which are divided into three major sections:. When your spine moves the discs in your adjust slightly to support the vertebrae.
For example, when you bend over the anterior front of your disc compresses and the posterior back of the disc stretches.
Unlike a herniated disc, when the nucleus breaks through the annulus, a bulging disc protrudes outward but the outer layers of the annulus remains intact. However, because the disc protrudes into the spinal canal, it can still compress a nerve root.
Disc bulge is also called disc prolapse. When a disc herniates, the soft nucleus spurts out through a tear in the annulus. Because there is limited space in the spinal canal, the nucleus can compress a nerve root or the spinal cord. The nucleus can extrude into the spinal canal, foramen, on either side of the disc, or in some rare cases, in multiple places called multifocal extruded discs.
Typically, a disc that herniates is in the final stages of degeneration. Although herniated discs can occur in any area of the spine, they are more common in the lumbar region. Other terms used describe herniated discs include disc extrusion , slipped disc , or ruptured disc. In some cases a piece or pieces of the herniated disc might break off, these are called free fragments.
A free fragment, also known as a sequestered disc , can break off in the spinal canal and apply pressure on the spinal cord which can result in severe pain and injury. Herniated and Bulging discs can also be classified by the area of the disc they protrude into herniation zone.
Circumferential disc bulge Diffuse disc bulge : The bulge extends beyond the entire disc circumference. Overall, symptoms of a herniated disc include: pain throughout an arm or leg, burning or tingling sensations in the affected area, muscle weakness, pain that worsens after pronlonged sitting or standing, pain or numbness that radiates down one side of the body, pain that becomes more severe during the night or Imparied ankle or knee reflexes.
Herniated disc pain may be mild to severe. Herniated Cervical Disc neck : Pain shooting down the arm to the fingertips, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder, arm or hand, difficulty walking or maintaining balance or problems gripping or handling things. Herniated Thoracic Disc upper and mid-back : Pain from the lower neck to the mid-back, chest pain, headaches when lying down, difficulty walking, tingling, numbness, or burning sensation in the legs, weakness in the legs or problems with the bladder or bowels.
Herniated Lumbar Disc lower back : Pain in your lower back, buttocks, hamstring, calf, or feet, numbness or tingling in the affected leg, shooting pain down you leg, weakened leg muscles, burning or sharp pain in your leg that worsens when standing long periods of time, difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels, difficulty walking, abnormal ankle and knee reflexes, poor coordination, difficulty lifting the feet or cramping in the lower back or legs.
The most common cause of disc herniation is age-related wear and tear. This is known as disc degeneration. If this occurs in the low back lumbar spine , it can put pressure on the nerve root leading to pain in the buttocks, legs, and feet. This is called sciatica. Although less common, herniated discs can also occur in the upper spine thoracic spine or neck cervical spine. When they occur in the neck, it can cause symptoms in the shoulders, arms, and hands.
Herniated discs, also known as slipped discs or ruptured discs, are a very common spine injury. Sudden injuries usually occur with lifting, pulling, bending, or twisting movements. They can also occur from age-related weakening of the spinal discs.
As people age, the discs gradually deteriorate. Only the small area of the crack is affected. Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it generally protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots.
The irritation can be from compression of the nerve or, much more commonly, the herniation causes a painful inflammation of the nerve root. If an imaging test indicates that you have a herniated disk, that disk might not be the cause of your back pain. Many people have MRI evidence of herniated disks and have no back pain at all. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you.
If we combine this information with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. If you are experiencing back pain, call your primary care doctor to schedule a physical examination. If you are in The Woodlands, TX, and your doctor has recommended you see a spine surgery specialist, request an appointment with Dr.
July 15, What Are Spine Intervertebral Discs? What Is a Bulging Disc? Bulging Disc. What Is a Herniated Disc? Herniated Disc.
0コメント