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To fully understand terms used when researching disc protrusions and whether you may suffer from this condition, it is important to first explain the anatomy of the spine.
Anatomy of the Spine
There are 24 bones that make up the spinal column. These bones are called vertebrae and are divided into three areas. The neck (or cervical spine) has seven vertebrae. The second area is the middle back (or thoracic spine) and has 12 vertebrae. The third area is the lower back (or lumbar spine) and has five vertebrae.
At the base of the spine is a bone called the sacrum. The coccyx is located at the end of the sacrum.
Each pair of vertebrae has a disc that acts as a shock-absorbing cushion. The disc is made up of a gel like substance. The outer material of a disc is called the annulus fibrosis. The center of the disc is called the nucleus pulposus. The spine has 23 discs and they start between the second and third vertebrae in the cervical area and continue through to the last disc between the fifth vertebra in the lumbar area and the sacrum. Each disc is named using the vertebrae in each of the three areas. For example, to reference the disc in the cervical area a “C” is used for cervical; “T” is used for thoracic; and “L” is used for the lumbar area. The reference to “S” is for the sacrum. If you were to read or hear C3-C4, this would mean the disc between the third and fourth vertebrae in the cervical area.
The spinal cord continues directly from the brain and passes through the vertebrae holes. This is the spinal canal. Nerve roots are found on both the left and right sides of the vertebra. Nerve roots control movement and muscle in each of the three areas described above.
Types of Damaged Discs
There are different ways that a disc may become damaged. This can be as a result of injury; poor posture; or weak muscles and the outcome may be the outer layer of the disc tearing.
Disc protrusion is commonly known as a disc bulge. A disc may tear in the annulus allowing the disc to enlarge or bulge. Depending on where the tears are, as the nucleus of the disc is released through the outer layer, the bulge may press straight or on either side.
When the nucleus of the disc protrudes into the tears in the annulus and surrounds the spinal cord or nerve roots, the disc is said to be a herniated disc.
If the disc nucleus or annulus has not broken away from the disc, but pushes out beyond the disc and ligaments, the disc is said to be extruded. Once the disc is extruded, the disc material will completely separate from the disc and then becomes a sequestered disc.
The pain associated with the above conditions is present in the affected area. The cervical area may cause pain in the shoulders, arms, and hands. The thoracic and lumbar areas may cause pain in the hips, groin, legs and feet.
Treatment
Non-surgical treatment includes rest, heat therapy, over the counter medication and physiotherapy.
Traditional surgery is an option, however there are now non-invasive surgeries that can be performed with no use of general anesthesia, no hospital stay and a quick recovery. Most patients are able to leave 2-3 hours after the procedure and most are encouraged to take a walk with a companion later that day. The return to a normal routine is very fast and the procedure is of a high success rate.