Back Pain - Herniated Disc

Back Pain - Herniated Disc

A herniated or ruptured vertebral disc is a common cause of back and leg pain. Vertebral discs are composed of a tough outer layer of cartilage and a more elastic central area that is filled with a gel-type substance that acts as a shock absorber. Age, disease and injury cause the outer layer of cartilage to degenerate. As the outer layer becomes thinner and weaker, it is susceptible to hairline fractures, especially when traumatized or placed under physical pressure. Extra pressure from a fall, poor body mechanics, or heavy lifting causes the central gel to be squeezed out, or “herniate.” The herniation can place pressure on the spinal cord or on the nerves that branch from it, causing severe pain and discomfort.

Another way to think of this is to imagine the disc as a jelly donut. The outside of the donut is the annulus or ring. The inside of the disk is the jelly or nucleus. When pressure is placed on the donut, some of the jelly can break through the ring. The same is true of your vertebral discs. The portion that ruptures out creates pressure on your nerves, which can cause back or leg pain.

Symptoms depend on where (at what level) the disc is herniated. A common symptom of herniated disc can include intense pain that shoots down one or both legs. The pain usually travels from the buttocks to below the knee as it follows the path of a specific nerve root. Back pain is also a common complaint if the herniation is central and pushes on the spinal cord. A herniated disc is often accompanied by a history of back pain. Many patients report previous instances of their back “going out.”

The treatment plan for a herniated disc depends upon many factors, such as the severity of the herniation and pain, the type and location of the pain, as well as patient’s age, ongoing medical conditions, and ability to tolerate other medical therapies. The doctor will take all of these factors into consideration when prescribing a treatment plan.

In general, the standard course of therapy will follow the chronic pain treatment continuum, and may include medications, physical and occupational therapy, steroid injections, or surgery.

New Horizons

Newer techniques are a part of modern medicine. Today, we have a number of minimally invasive procedures that can address a number of different disc related pain disorders.

If your pain is being generated from discs, your pain specialist may be able to offer you some alternatives to traditional approaches.