Herniated Disc

Little Rock Herniated Disc Experts at Little Rock Spinal Decompression

A disc is the "cushion" between the vertebrae (bones) in the neck and back. As the spine ages, a process called Degenerative Disc Disease sets in. Some patients have this process start at a young age due to some form of injury that caused inflammation in their spine or to developmental defects in the spine. Whatever the reason, all patients who have a herniated disc or a bulging disc are going head first into the deep end of the pool when it comes to the Degenerative Disc Disease process.

Discs are composed of ring like fibers (like the age rings on a tree) called the annular fibers. The annular fibers are very weak in nature and don't handle sheer forces very well. These are the types of forces created in the spine when someone bends over and has a little twist to the motion. I call it the "throwing firewood motion". The funny thing is that you don't even have to pick anything up that is heavy. A person can be picking up a paperclip or a pencil and develop a herniated a disc.

The inside of the disc is like the center of a jelly filled doughnut. It is called the Nucleus Pulposis. The nucleus pulposis contains a watery gel-like mixture. When the disc material "herniates" out, there is a tear in the annular fibers and the gel-like mixture goes out through that tear and puts pressure on the nerves or spinal cord and that is what causes the severe pain. If enough "pressure" is there the fluid can actually pinch the front of the spinal cord or nerves and cause severe pain and radiating symptoms into the legs (with a low back herniated disc) or arms (with a herniated disc in the neck).

There are 3 main types of herniated discs: 1. Protruding 2. Extruding 3. Sequestered

A Protruding herniated disc is one in which the disc material is coming through the tear in the disc. The material can put pressure on the nerves or spinal cord and cause severe pain. These types of discs can go for years undetected and then all of a sudden, the patient can experience severe pain. This process can take years and the patient can bend or twist a certain way and then have the pain come on very quickly. The underlying problem could have been coming on for years and the person could actually be fully into the stages of severe Degenerative Disc Disease before the pain begins.

An Extruding herniated disc is when the disc material has come out from the annular fibers and then is flowing down (or up) like lava in the spinal column. This is a more severe form of a herniated disc which some surgeons will operate on and some will not (age can be a big factor). The reason this is more severe is that it is the last stage before the disc material can actually break off and become free floating in the spinal column.

A Sequestered herniated disc is one in which a piece of the disc material has "broken off" and has become "free floating" in the spinal column. It is called "sequestered" because it is by itself.

What is a Bulging Disc or a Disc Bulge? A bulging disc is when the disc material has not herniated yet. The annular fibers have not torn through but have been stretched or partially torn. The resulting effect is that the disc material itself can be pushed out and pinch the spinal cord or spinal nerves and cause pain similar to a herniated disc. A bulging disc is another example of the Degenerative Disc Disease process. The disc compresses down with time and loses its water content becoming dehydrated and dessicated. It is a serious health condition even though it is not a herniation and should be treated as seriously.

Why does it hurt when I stand or sit? One of the most common complaints of disc pain sufferers is that they hurt so badly when they go to the grocery store and have to walk on the concrete, hard floors. When you stand, the weight of your body is distributed on the front part of the spine (where the discs are located). So after you have stood for 5-10 minutes, gravity starts to take its effect and the discs start compressing which can "pinch" the nerves or push the disc material out on the spinal cord = pain.

Some people have gone so far into the Degenerative Disc Disease process that their spinal joints have enlarged. When they sit the arthritic joints can cause severe pain especially when coupled with a herniated or bulging disc.

It is so rewarding to see so many of our patients get their lives back from what would be an otherwise debilitating disease process. Through major technological advances, discs can be taken through a process, naturally and has helped so many people live their lives without major surgery or other invasive procedures.

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