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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. The spinal cord sends messages to your brain through nerve roots that branch out from the spinal canal. When a ruptured spinal disc occurs, the outer liner of the disc weakens and the soft inner material bursts or bulges through causing irritation and sometimes damage to the nerve roots or the spinal nerves. The end result is pain being felt in your back and extremities caused by irritation from the ruptured disc in your spine.
The majority of people who suffer from ruptured disc symptoms are in the thirty to forty year age bracket. A ruptured intervertebral disc is more common in people who sit for long periods of time, or twist their back a lot. Truck drivers are especially prone to a ruptured disc or other back problems because of the amount of time spent sitting combined with the vibrations constantly placed on their spine.
As we age, or after injury our disc’s outer layer may begin to weaken. The weaker the outer layer the more prone a person becomes to developing a ruptured spinal disc.
Ruptured disc symptoms
Symptoms caused by a ruptured intervertebral disc include back pain, tingling, muscle weakness and loss of feeling. Ruptured disc symptoms are generally not the same from patient to patient. Pain and symptoms will either come and go through activity or they could be constant and long lasting. Ruptured disc symptoms are dependent on how much pressure the ruptured disc places on the spinal nerves. Extra pressure from coughing, sneezing, urinating, or laughing can make pain caused by a ruptured disc worsen.
The majority of ruptured discs will occur in the lower back causing constant leg pain that does not decrease. Sciatica occurs when excessive pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve. This can be a result of a ruptured intervertebral disc and causes intense pain to radiate down the buttocks and leg. Other back conditions will very rarely cause pain below the knee. This means that when pain is being felt below the knee it will most often be attributed to a herniated or ruptured disc. A herniated or ruptured disc in the low back may also cause weakness in the legs and lifting your foot off the ground will also be difficult. Problems with urination and bowel movements may occur when pressure from a herniated or ruptured disc is placed on the nerve that leads to the bladder or bowel. If there is weakness with the anal muscles or a person is having problems controlling urination, this may be signs of cauda equina syndrome, a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery on the herniated or ruptured disc.