What do you need to know about a herniated disk?

Herniated disk. Herniated disk The rubbery disks that lie between the vertebrae in your spine consist of a soft center (nucleus) surrounded by a tougher exterior (annulus). A herniated disk occurs when a portion of the nucleus pushes through a crack in the annulus. Symptoms may occur if the herniation compresses a nerve.

Is there a predisposition for a herniated disc?

Research has shown that a predisposition for herniated discs may exist in families with several members affected. This opens in a new window. Symptoms vary greatly, depending on the position of the herniated disc and the size of the herniation.

How is the lamina removed from a herniated disc?

Lumbar laminotomy is a procedure often utilized to relieve leg pain and sciatica caused by a herniated disc. It is performed through a small incision down the center of the back over the area of the herniated disc. During this procedure, a portion of the lamina may be removed.

How is a herniated disc pushed into the spinal canal?

A herniated disc (also called bulged, slipped or ruptured) is a fragment of the disc nucleus that is pushed out of the annulus, into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the annulus. Discs that become herniated usually are in an early stage of degeneration.

When does a herniated disc become a protruding disc?

What is a herniated disc? A herniated disc can also be known as a “slipped disc” or “protruding disc”. The most significant version of this injury occurs when the inner disc material actually escapes from the outer layer (annulus) of the disc.

Why does it take so long for a herniated disc to heal?

It is also possible that the inflammation that appears in our spine when we suffer a disc injury irritate the nerves above and below the injury too. The presence of these inflammatory chemicals is likely to increase the time it takes your herniated disc to heal. This video provides a great explanation for how a disc bulge can cause sciatica:

Can a herniated disc be completely pain free?

This will probably surprise you, but – it is possible to have a herniated disc and know nothing about it! A lot of the time, a disc bulge or herniated disc can be completely pain free. However, if this herniated disc touches on one of the nerve roots that we spoke about earlier, you can develop the symptoms of sciatica.

Where does a herniated disc go in the spine?

Let me explain. When you sustain a herniated disc at level L4/L5 (second from bottom disc) in the spine, you may get an irritation of the L5 nerve root, which exits at the level of your disc problem. However, due to the effects of gravity, if any material has leaked out from your disc at L4/L5 it will travel downwards within the spine.