Ruptured Disc Column

What Is a Ruptured Disc

Examining the structure of the spine we find three sections comprised of multiple parts most important being the vertebrae. Between each vertebral bone is a small disc that is made up of a tough outer layer and a softer jelly like inner material. Acting as a shock absorber the disc allows for the spine to flex and move in a controlled manner.

Slipped Disc Treatment

Treatment for a slipped disc will most often consist of a short period of rest combined with pain and anti-inflammatory medicine.  If required physical therapy will be a follow method used.  Five percent of patients will not recover through these methods, leaving them to seek more in-depth treatments such as steroid injections or surgery.  The 95% that do recover are able to return to their normal activity level.

Slipped Disc Symptoms

Before looking at slipped disc symptoms it is important to know what a slipped disc is.  A slipped disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes it way through the tough outer capsule of the disc.  Whether it causes pain or doesn’t, it is still a slipped disc.  If the inner material that has escaped applies pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots in the area it is most likely that painful symptoms will occur.

Slipped Disc Information

When considering conditions that affect your spine and the back pain associated with them, it is easy to understand how many patients become confused with the many inconsistent terms used to label spine afflictions. 

Ruptured Lumbar Disc

The last five vertebrae of the spine make up the lumbar section of our spine.  The vertebra is a bone in our spine that serves its function by providing support and protection for the spinal cord.  These vertebrae are linked through facet joints providing mobile connections.  Sitting between each of the vertebra is an intervertebral disc composed of the outer annulus and inner nucleus pulposus.  The annulus is the tough exterior ring around the disc, and the nucleus pulposus is the soft inner gel like material.

Ruptured Disc Surgery

Although ruptured disc surgeries are rarely required, surgery will become a treatment option for about one in twenty people. Because the end result from ruptured disc surgery is the same as a natural healing, most doctors will not recommend surgery until after 3 to 6 months of no visible improvements. Ruptured disc surgery is usually suggested before the sixth month because at this point there is a greater chance of permanent nerve damage if the ruptured disc is left untreated.

Ruptured Disc Exercises

Controlling pain from a herniated or ruptured disc in spine can begin through the use of conventional pain medicine and a slight reduction in activities. It is important to note that resting for the first couple of days is generally not frowned at, but anything more will start your back muscle down the road of atrophy.

Ruptured Cervical Disc

The cervical spinal disc has one main function and that is to act as a shock absorbing device for the bones in your spine called vertebra.  The cervical disc is comprised of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosus but often referred to as the capsule.  Inside the capsule is a soft gel like material called the nucleus pulposus.  A healthy cervical disc will act as a shock absorber and lend flexibility to the spine.  As we age the outer capsule of the cervical disc begins to weaken and eventually through this break down the inner material may sometimes push through causing a ruptured cervical disc.