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What is a Bulging Disc?
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| A bulging disc is a disc that extrudes into the spinal canal. It is also referred to as a ruptured disc or slipped disc. As a disc degenerates, it can herniate (the inner core extrudes) back into the spinal canal, as shown in this picture on the right. The light blue oval area is the disc and it is bulging into the spinal canal on the lower right side of the disc. In the lumbar area, this can cause pain to radiate all the way down the leg into the foot. In the area of the cervical spine, the pain would radiate from the neck down the arm, to the fingers. |
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| Approximately 90% of bulging discs will occur at L4- L5 (lumbar segments 4 and 5) or L5- S1 (lumbar segment 5 and sacral segment1), which causes pain in the L5 nerve or S1 nerve, respectively. |
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| Recommended treatment is generally open back surgery, with high risks, hospital stays and lengthy recuperation time. |
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| A bulging disc can be very painful, but you can increase your chances of avoiding this condition by learning more about bulging disc causes. It is important to know what activities to avoid and which ones you should take precautions against. |
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Bulging Disc Causes
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| As you grow older, your discs become flatter -- less cushiony. If a disc becomes too weak, the outer part (annulus) may tear. The inside part of the disc pushes through the tear and presses on the nerves beside it. Herniated discs are most common in people in their 30's and 40's. | | | | The spine is made up of a series of connected bones called "vertebrae". The disc is a combination of strong connective tissues that hold one vertebra to the next, and act as a cushion between the vertebrae. The disc is made of a tough outer layer called the "annulus fibrosus" and a gel-like center called the "nucleus pulposus." | | | | As you get older, the center of the disc may start to lose water content, making the disc less effective as a cushion. This may cause a displacement of the disc's center (called a herniated disc or ruptured disc) through a crack in the outer layer. This can occur in the neck (cervical region) or the back (lumbar region) and the mid back (thoracic spine). | | |
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| If you still have unanswered questions, feel free to visit our FAQ page where we answer some of the most frequently asked questions received from previous visitors. Also, feel free to contact us. |
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