Herniated disc

Herniated Disc

A Herniated Disc (pronounced: /hɜːrˈniː.eɪ.tɪd dɪsk/), also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, is a medical condition affecting the spine in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion to bulge out beyond the damaged outer rings.

Etymology

The term "Herniated Disc" is derived from the Latin word "hernia", which means "protrusion", and the Latin word "discus", which means "disc". The term refers to the protrusion of the disc material beyond its normal confines.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a herniated disc can vary depending on the location of the herniation and the types of soft tissue that become involved. They can range from little or no pain if the disc is the only tissue injured, to severe and unrelenting neck or lower back pain that will radiate into the regions served by affected nerve roots that are irritated or impinged by the herniated material.

Causes

Herniated discs are usually caused by wear and tear, also known as disc degeneration. As we age, our discs lose some of the fluid that helps them stay flexible. A herniated disc can also occur from using your back muscles instead of your leg and thigh muscles to lift large, heavy objects.

Treatment

Treatment for herniated discs depends on the severity of symptoms. It may range from conservative treatments like physical therapy, pain medications, and corticosteroids injections, to surgical procedures such as microdiscectomy or spinal fusion.

Related Terms

• Intervertebral disc
• Nerve roots
• Corticosteroids
• Microdiscectomy
• Spinal fusion

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Herniated disc
• Wikipedia's article - Herniated disc

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