How Does a Disc Become Herniated?
Spine Anatomy
Discs in the spine are located in between the vertebrae. They act as cushions to protect the spine from injury and they stabilize the spine to help keep proper spine alignment. The disc is a cushion with a gelatinous middle. A disc herniation is when the disc ruptures or tears and allows the gelatinous center to leak out of the vertebrae area. The herniated disc can put pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves which can cause pain and other problems. In addition, when a disc herniates and leaves the vertebrae area, spacing between the vertebrae gets reduced. Reduced spacing in the vertebrae causes spinal instability which can result in pain.
Injuries
Whiplash injuries, repetitive strenuous movements, poor posture and sudden impacts which result in pressure to the spine can cause injury to the discs. While accidents cannot always be avoided, precautions can be taken in daily life to reduce the risk of a herniated disc. Follow these five guidelines to protect your spine from injury: Bend your knees when lifting heavy objects. Wear a back brace when lifting heavy objects. Avoid repetitive strenuous movements. Ask a doctor for advice about your exercise program to ensure that you are exercising properly. Improper exercise techniques can cause unnecessary trauma to the spine. Exercise to keep your back and abdominal muscles strong. A strong back and abdomen helps reduce the likelihood of spine injury.
Degenerative Discs
Aging decreases the amount of water and protein that is available to collagen in the body. This causes the collagen to become more fragile which can lead to degeneration. Both the discs and the facet joints in the spine are partly composed of collagen. Degeneration of the discs can cause them to herniate. Degeneration of the facet joints can cause the spine to destabilize which puts pressure on the discs, making them more likely to herniate. While aging is a fact of life that cannot be avoided, there are a few things that you can do to help keep your spine healthy: Do not smoke. Smoking causes damage to the discs. Drink plenty of water to help keep the discs hydrated. Ask your doctor about a diet and exercise regimen that will help you maintain spine health.
Symptoms
Some people with herniated discs experience symptoms, others do not. The severity of the disc herniation increases the chances of symptoms. Symptoms of a herniated disc can include, neck pain, back pain, headaches, arm pain, leg pain and burning or tingling sensations in the limbs. Serious symptoms can includes weakness in the limbs, paralysis and loss of bladder or bowel control. Serious symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. However, serious symptoms are rare.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by a X-ray or a MRI. Both a X-ray and a MRI allow the doctor to view the spine. A MRI can produce images of soft tissue, which allows the doctor to get a good view of the discs.
Treatment
There are three levels of treatment for herniated discs. The three levels of treatment are:
The patient takes oral anti-inflammatory medication, rests and undergoes physical therapy. Most patients find pain relief with these therapies.
When the above treatments do not work, the patient can undergo a steroid epidural injection procedure. During the procedure, the doctor injects steroids into the epidural space in the spine. The steroids reduce inflammation which relieves pain. The steroid epidural is usually done in an outpatient setting.
When neither of the above treatments work, the patient may opt to have surgery. The surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon. During the surgery the surgeon removes the herniated part of the disc or the whole disc. If the whole disc is removed, the doctor fuses the spine to provide spinal stability. An artificial disc can be surgically put in to replace the natural disc. Artificial disc replacement is not an available treatment for some injuries.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information purposes only. The spine is complicated and the severity of disc injuries can vary. If you suspect a spinal injury, get immediate attention at a hospital emergency room, with an orthopedic doctor or with a neurosurgeon.
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