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Herniated
Disc
Overview/Definition
Symptoms
Potential Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment Options
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Overview/Definition
The inter-vertebral discs are the shock-absorbing cushions between each pair
of vertebrae in your spine. Each disc has a strong outer ring of fibers,
called the annulus, and a soft, gelatinous center, called the nucleus pulposus.
The disc’s nucleus serves as the main shock absorber for the adjacent
vertebrae.
When a tear occurs in the outer
(annular) ring of the disc, the soft nucleus pulposus can protrude
into the spinal canal. This common and painful disorder is called
a herniated disc (also known as a ruptured disc or a prolapsed
disc). The protrusion of the nucleus pulposus can press on a
nerve root or the spinal cord. The damaged disc can also leak
fluid, which may inflame nerve roots. For this reason, herniated
discs can become extremely painful.
When a herniated disc occurs in
the mid back it can be extremely serious. The smaller spinal
canal in the thoracic (mid back) region leaves very little space
around the spinal cord. In severe cases, the pressure of a herniated
disc on the thoracic spinal cord can lead to paralysis below
the waist. Fortunately, herniated discs much more commonly occur
in the lumbar or cervical spine, where the spinal canal is larger.
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Symptoms
In addition to back pain, a herniated disc can cause pain in other parts
of the body. Because nerve roots carry signals to other parts of the body,
a herniated disc that compresses a nerve root can cause pain in other body
parts. For example, a herniated disc in the lower back may compress the sciatic
nerve root, causing the pain and/or numbness known as sciatica, which runs
down the back of the leg. A herniated cervical disc, on the other hand, can
cause neck and arm pain. In fact, the hallmark of a herniated disc is radicular
pain—pain that runs down into the arm or leg. This pain also may be
associated with numbness or weakness in the same distribution.
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Potential Causes
Regular wear and tear, degeneration or trauma can all cause a herniated disc.
Like muscles and ligaments, discs heal from a tear by forming scar tissue,
which is weaker than normal tissue.
A traumatic event can put too much pressure on a disc all at once, causing
a sudden rupture. For example, falling from a ladder and landing in a sitting
position applies a tremendous amount of sudden force on the spine, which
can result in a broken vertebra or a ruptured disc. A smaller amount of force
can also rupture a disc, especially if the tough outer ring (annulus) has
been weakened by repeated injuries that have added up over time. A weakened
disc may rupture while lifting or bending, low-impact activities that probably
would not have caused a problem five years earlier. The effects of aging
on the spine, which makes discs more vulnerable to ruptures, is the most
common cause of disc herniation in the thoracic spine.
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Diagnosis
To diagnose a herniated disc, the doctor will begin by obtaining a complete
history of the problem and administering a physical exam. An MRI, the most
common test used to diagnose a herniated disc, is painless and accurate.
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Treatment Options
The treatment of a herniated disc depends on the symptoms. Since most herniated
discs heal without surgical treatment, your doctor may first suggest careful
monitoring. If the symptoms improve, no other treatment may be needed. However,
if symptoms worsen, your doctor might suggest surgery.
Conservative Treatment
Your doctor may prescribe rest and observation to monitor the progression
of the problem. Depending on the amount of pain, medications and/or physical
therapy may be prescribed. If you have severe pain from nerve root irritation,
your doctor may prescribe an epidural
steroid injection (ESI). Unfortunately,
this treatment succeeds in reducing the pain from a herniated disc in only
about half of all cases.
Surgical Treatment
The traditional surgical treatment for a herniated disc is a combination
of laminotomy and discectomy. In a laminotomy, an opening is made in the
lamina (covering of the disc) to relieve pressure on the affected spinal
nerves; a discectomy removes the herniated disc. Microdiscectomy achieves
the same results as traditional discectomy, but uses a less invasive technique,
enabling a faster recovery for the patient. Endoscopic Discectomy is an even
newer, more technologically advanced version of the microdiscectomy. The
specific nature of the herniated disc will determine what the best procedure
will be.
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