Herniated Disc

What is a herniated disc?

The bones that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small discs. Spinal discs are round and flat, with a tough, outer layer (capsule or annulus) that surrounds a jellylike material (nucleus). When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. When they are damaged from an injury, normal wear and tear, or disease, they may bulge abnormally or break open (rupture). An abnormally bulging or ruptured disc is called a herniated disc, or sometimes a slipped disc. A bulging or herniated disc may press on a nerve where the nerve branches off from the spinal cord in your back. This pressure can cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of reflexes in the leg. It may or may not cause lower back pain. However, many herniated discs don't cause any symptoms. If an MRI scan showed that you have a herniated disc, your doctor will carefully compare the results of the MRI with the results of your physical exam to be sure that the herniated disc seen on the MRI is the likely cause of your symptoms