Between each vertebra are fibrous fluid filled capsules called disks that protect the bones by absorbing the shock to the bones from walking, lifting, twisting, sitting and laying down. When one of these disks is injured, either by trauma or aging, the disk doesn’t actually slip, instead it protrudes or herniates beyond its normal position, often beyond the edges of the vertebra.

Two types of slipped disks

These disks are like a jelly donut, with a soft center surrounded by tough outer ring. A herniated disk, sometimes called a ruptured disk, is caused by a crack in the outer ring of cartilage that allows the cartilage and some of the soft inner tissue to protrude out of the disk.

A bulging disk affects only the outer layer of cartilage with at least a quarter of the disk’s circumference protruding beyond its normal position. A herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it protrudes further and irritate nerve roots either by pushing on the nerve or more commonly causing inflammation of the nerve.

There can be many causes of a herniated disk including normal wear and tear, trauma or injury.

Normal wear and tear occurs naturally, over a lifetime, standing, sitting, walking, running, and lifting all impact the spine and the disks. Over time the disks degenerate becoming less elastic and more compressed, resulting in the closing of natural openings of the spine or foramen where the nerves exit the spinal cord to the rest of the body.  These exiting nerve roots get pinched and this pinching causes significant pain.

Injuries can be traumatic such as from a car accident, fall, another event that impacts the spine. Sometimes, however, a herniated disk can occur from a combination of degeneration and injury. As a consequence, something as common as a sneeze can cause a herniated disk.

Signs and symptoms

Many herniated or bulging disks shown on a MRI image cause no pain, however, when they do, most occur in the lumbar part of the spine, but can also occur in the cervical, or thoracic spine. When it occurs, the pain can be sudden, or it can gradually progress over time.

Signs of herniated lumbar disk include arm or leg pain and especially intense pain in the buttocks, thigh or calf. Herniated cervical disk pain may be most intense in the shoulder and arm and can cause headaches.  Pain may shoot into your arm or leg when you cough, sneeze or move to or from certain positions. Other signs include numbness, tingling or muscle weakness. Muscle spasms may make you stiff and make standing or straightening limbs difficult.

At Advanced Orthopedics, our goal is to help you feel better and heal faster. Our advanced clinical skill and compassionate approach to treating your neck, back, shoulder, wrist, knee, and hip injuries and disorders are tailored to you and your particular condition. We embrace a compassionate, patient-first approach to orthopedic care and pain. Combined with extensive experience, innovative technology, and advanced treatments area able to provide you with the most comprehensive treatment plan. We are happy to review your MRI and discuss your options and answer all your questions to ensure you get the best treatment for you. For more information contact us at (407) 960-1717.

Sources: Healthline: What is a slipped disk?, Mayo Clinic: Bulging vs. herniated disk, Spine Universe: Causes of herniated disc