Herniated Disc

What is a Herniated Disc?

In the spinal column, there are intervertebral discs sandwiched in between many vertebrae. An intervertebral disc is made up of a fibro-cartilaginous round outer casing called annulus fibrosus. Within the annulus fibrosus is a gel-like substance called the nucleus pulposus. The nucleus pulposus acts as a shock absorber for the spinal column, brain, and nerves.

When a bulge or herniation is in a spinal column disc, the bulge or herniation will pinch nearby nerves; this is called a herniated disc. A herniated disc can also be known as a bulging disc, a ruptured disc, or a prolapsed disc.

Bulging Disc

Through the foramina of the vertebrae, the spinal cord travels down to the sacrum. At the sacrum, spinal nerve levels with sensory nerves exit laterally out of the spinal column, form bulbous dorsal root ganglia, and, once again, move lateral. When a disc becomes herniated, the outer wall of the annulus fibrosus starts to give way; this forms a "bulge" as the nucleus pulposus moves to the outer edge. This creates a bulging disc.

Rupture and Prolapsed Disc

After this happens, the bulge will pinch nearby nerves and cause pain. If a tear occurs, the gel-like substance, called the nucleus pulposus, ruptures through the annulus fibrosus and falls below onto the dorsal root ganglia causing severe pain in the neck or back. This creates a ruptured disc or prolapsed disc.

Symptoms and Causes of a Herniated Disc

The following symptoms are dependant on the location of the herniated disc:

• Back pain may pass through the leg(s)
• Neck pain may pass through the arm(s)
• Leg pain, numbness, and/or weakness
• Foot pain, numbness, and/or weakness
• Arm pain, numbness, and/or weakness
• Hand pain, numbness, and/or weakness
• Difficulty walking

The causes of a herniated disc will vary, but most often this condition is caused by an injury sustained from a motor vehicle accident, a slip and fall accident, or from lifting a heavy object.

Herniated Disc Consequences

A herniated disc will cause pain to the area of the herniation. If it is in the cervical region, there may be some referred pain to the shoulders, arms, and hands. If it is in the lumbar region, there may be some referred pain to the buttocks, thighs, legs, and feet; the pain usually follows down the sciatic nerve. Because of this, it may be difficult to do any strenuous or physical activities. These include work, house, or sports related activities.

Treatment for a Herniated Disc

• Rest
• Back stretching and strengthening exercises
• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
• Strong medications
• Muscle relaxants
• Epidural injections in herniated disc

If the above is not a solution to the pain and discomfort, surgery may be required. In order to provide pain relief, the surgeon may remove part of the disc or bone (lamina). Vertebrae bones may also be fused to alleviate pain.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has experienced a herniated disc, please contact our Neck Injury Lawyers for a free, personal, and confidential consultation. You can contact the Law Offices of Michael Cordova at 602-265-6700.

Our lawyers not only work on herniated disc cases but in other personal injury areas, as well as criminal defense and DUI, dog bites, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and product and premises liability, so please contact your local Phoenix attorneys for a free consultation.

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