Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. The bones vertebrae that form the spine in the back are cushioned by discs. These discs are round, like small pillows, with a tough, outer layer annulus that surrounds the nucleus. Located between each of the vertebra in the spinal column, discs act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones.
A herniated disc also called bulged, slipped or ruptured is a fragment of the disc nucleus that is pushed out of the annulus, into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the annulus. Discs that become herniated usually are in an early stage of degeneration. The spinal canal has limited space, which is inadequate for the spinal nerve and the displaced herniated disc fragment. Due to this displacement, the disc presses on spinal nerves, often producing pain, which may be severe.
Herniated discs can occur in any part of the spine. Herniated discs are more common in the lower back lumbar spine , but also occur in the neck cervical spine. The area in which pain is experienced depends on what part of the spine is affected. A single excessive strain or injury may cause a herniated disc. However, disc material degenerates naturally as one ages, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken.
As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to rupture. Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to disc problems and, as a result, may suffer herniated discs in several places along the spine. Research has shown that a predisposition for herniated discs may exist in families with several members affected. Symptoms vary greatly, depending on the position of the herniated disc and the size of the herniation. If the herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, the patient may experience a low backache or no pain at all.
If it is pressing on a nerve, there may be pain, numbness or weakness in the area of the body to which the nerve travels. A slipped disc can place extra pressure on the nerves and muscles around it.
The types of pain can vary from person to person. See your doctor if your pain results in numbness or tingling that affects your ability to control your muscles. A slipped disc occurs when the outer ring becomes weak or torn and allows the inner portion to slip out.
This can happen with age. Certain motions may also cause a slipped disc. A disc can slip out of place while you are twisting or turning to lift an object.
Lifting a very large, heavy object can place great strain on the lower back, resulting in a slipped disc. If you have a very physically demanding job that requires a lot of lifting, you may be at increased risk for slipped discs. Overweight individuals are also at increased risk for a slipped disc because their discs must support the additional weight.
Weak muscles and a sedentary lifestyle may also contribute to the development of a slipped disc. As you get older, you are more likely to experience a slipped disc.
This is because your discs begin to lose some of their protective water content as you age. As a result, they can slip more easily out of place.
They are more common in men than women. Your doctor will first perform a physical exam. They will be looking for the source of your pain and discomfort. This will involve checking your nerve function and muscle strength, and whether you feel pain when moving or touching the affected area.
Your doctor also will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms. They will be interested in when you first felt symptoms and what activities cause your pain to worsen.
Imaging tests can help your doctor view the bones and muscles of your spine and identify any damaged areas. Examples of imaging scans include:. Your doctor can combine all these pieces of information to determine what is causing your pain, weakness, or discomfort.
An untreated, severe slipped disc can lead to permanent nerve damage. In very rare cases, a slipped disc can cut off nerve impulses to the cauda equina nerves in your lower back and legs. Many people will never know they have slipped a disc. Sometimes the pain may be a result of an injury such as a sprain or strain , but often there's no obvious reason. Back pain is rarely caused by anything serious.
If the pain is very bad, you may need to rest at first. But start gentle exercise as soon as you can — it'll help you get better faster. The type of exercise is not important, just gradually increase your activity level. Alternate painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. Paracetamol on its own is not recommended for back pain. Take them regularly up to the recommended daily amount rather than just when the pain is particularly bad.
A 'slipped' prolapsed disc often causes sudden, severe lower back pain. The disc often presses on a nerve root which can cause pain and other symptoms in a leg. In most cases, the symptoms ease off gradually over several weeks. The usual advice is to carry on as normal as much as possible. Painkillers may help. Physical treatments such as spinal manipulation may also help.
Surgery may be an option if the symptoms persist. When you have a 'slipped' prolapsed disc, a disc does not actually slip. What happens is that part of the inner softer part of the disc the nucleus pulposus bulges out herniates through a weakness in the outer part of the disc. A prolapsed disc is sometimes called a herniated disc. The bulging disc may press on nearby structures such as a nerve coming from the spinal cord. Some inflammation also develops around the prolapsed part of the disc.
Inflammation may irritate a nerve and also causes swelling, which may put pressure on a nerve. Any disc in the spine can prolapse. However, most prolapsed discs occur in the lower back the lumbar spine.
The size of the prolapse can vary. As a rule, the larger the prolapse, the more severe the symptoms are likely to be. The spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae. Each bone vertebra is roughly the shape of a flattened cylinder and between each vertebra is a disc. The discs are made of strong rubbery material which helps the spine to be so flexible. All the discs are the same - they have a stronger fibrous outer part and a softer jelly-like part in the centre called the nucleus pulposus.
The spinal cord contains the nerves that come from the brain. It is protected by the spine. Nerves from the spinal cord come out from between the vertebrae to relay messages to and from various parts of the body. Strong ligaments attach to the vertebrae. These ligaments give extra support and strength to the spine. Various muscles also go around, and are attached to, various parts of the spine.
The muscles and ligaments are not shown in the diagram below, for simplicity. Note : this leaflet is about a 'slipped' prolapsed disc in the lower back the lumbar spine. There is a separate leaflet about disc problems in the neck, called Cervical Spondylosis. Bouts of back pain are very common. However, fewer than 1 in 20 cases of sudden-onset acute back pain are due to a 'slipped' prolapsed disc. Most cases of back pain are classed as simple low back pain. This is thought to be caused by a minor problem in a muscle, ligament, or other structure in the back - for example, a strained muscle.
See the separate leaflet called Back and Spine Pain for a general overview of the different types of back pain. The most common age to develop a prolapsed disc is between 30 and 50 years. Twice as many men as women are affected. A prolapsed disc is rare in anyone under 20 years of age.
For information and advice on back pain in young people, see the separate leaflet called Back Pain in Children.
0コメント