What is the difference between a herniated spinal disc and a ruptured disc?
I had doctors tell me I had a bulging, herniated and ruptured disc. They said they were all the same thing.
They are all similar… herniation of the disc is basically inflammation in the spacing between the columns in your spine. This can be caused by many things, like a bulge (anything bigger than 2 mm is significant). A rupture disc is simply damage spacing in the spine, which may result in narrowing.
I recommend you see a medical specialist for your condition and have them perform a diagnostic test. That way, you can find out the nature & extent of the problem and a treatment plan can be formed.
Good luck.
Herniated Disc. Dr. VanSuch. Columbus Ohio Chiropractor
Improve your posture, relieve back pain. Lumbar Extender stretches your back easily, safely, affordably. SAVE BIG! Rigid muscles, overstretching, poor spinal alignment… just a few of the culprits that can wreak havoc on your back. Fight back with the Lumbar Extender. Simply place this curved, multi-level back stretching device on the floor, recline onto its arched surface, and center your spine …
Healing Back Pain promises permanent elimination of back pain without drugs, surgery, or exercise. It should have been titled Understanding TMS Pain, because it discusses one particular cause of back pain–Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS)–and isn’t really a program for self-treatment, with only five pages of action plan (and many more pages telling why conventional methods don’t work). Accor…
It is a known fact that the bones and joints in your body will start to get weak at some point in your life. When you reach the age of 60, or even 50 for some, you will start to feel pain in several parts of your body – including your lower back – that can be excruciating and unbearable. It is important to note, however, that elderly people are also at risk of developing the condition known as disc degeneration.
What Is Disc Degeneration?
Disc degeneration occurs when the discs, which support the spine, is damaged or broken due to old age, injury or certain diseases. This condition is characterized by your leg being a little numb and your lower back area feeling constant pain. This condition is actually fairly common.
However, not all people who have disc degeneration are aware of their situation because a damaged or broken disc per se does not cause pain or other obvious symptoms. You will only feel pain when your problematic discs are ruptured or abnormally pushed out. This condition is what we call herniated disc, which is commonly known as slip disc.
Causes of Disc Degeneration
Majority of cases of disc degeneration are due to the normal wear and tear of the bones and joints. These discs act as support and shock absorber of the vertebral column. Eventually, through much use, some discs on your spine will start to get weak and damaged.
Another common cause of disc problems is injury. Putting sudden pressure on your lower back from lifting heavy objects, accidents, prolonged or frequent exposure to vibration or simply picking up something on the floor can cause slip disc.
Who Are At Risk Of Experiencing Disc Degeneration?
As mentioned earlier, everybody can be a candidate for such a condition. However, there are some individuals who are more prone or susceptible to breaking or injuring such discs.
Old People
The bones, joints and the fluids in-between the vertebrae of old people are getting weaker and smaller by the day. Naturally, they are the prime candidates for slip discs. However, the older you get, the more difficult it will be for you to recover from slip disc. Septuagenarians who fall and end up injuring their spine will find it very hard to get over their vertebral problems.
Athletes
Both professional and amateur athletes are equally prone to getting slip disc because of exerting too much effort in practicing or perfecting their performances. Moreover, athletes usually push their bodies to the limit, so the normal wear and tear process of bones and joints are much faster for them than the average Joes.
Obese And Overweight Individuals
One of the reasons why it is important to maintain your ideal body weight is because your bones and muscles end up overworking themselves when your body is carrying too much load. The same is true with your discs. The heavier you get, the more prone you will be at getting spine injuries because your body is finding it hard to carry your weight.
Treatment Options
Surgery
Individuals whose discs are heavily fragmented or disintegrated are advised to undergo surgery. In such cases, metal plates will be inserted and used to replace problematic discs. However, if your disc problem is not really serious, you may want to consider other options.
Nor-surgical Treatments
In most cases, people who have herniated discs recover in about one to six months through physical therapy and proper exercise. If you have herniated disc, the first thing that you have to do is rest. After a few days, you should start moving and getting out of the bed to strengthen the muscles that hold and support your spine. However, you should still take it easy on your movements and avoid strenuous activities until you your physician says otherwise.
Since pain is a common complaint from people whose discs have been ruptured, painkillers are often prescribed. However, you should not get too dependent on taking pain medications because prolonged use of these pills can cause severe side effects.
Lastly, rehabilitation of the herniated discs is important in ensuring that your condition is completely healed. Exercise, physical therapy and supplements are important during the recovery stage. You need to eat healthy and take products that will help strengthen your bones, ease pain and replenish the fluid between the discs. Products like Phosoplex can help you recover from disc degeneration or herniated disc. You can find out more about this product by visiting www.Phosoplex.com.
About the Author
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.healthnfitnesszone.com.
Artificial Disc Replacement: The Patient’s Perspective (Rehearsal)
Disc Back Pain needs attention. Back pain often means there is something wrong with the bones in the spine. And back pain may be experienced in the specific area like lower back pain, upper back pain or rib pain or it may be disc back pain.
Our spine is a series of vertebrae. These are smaller bones which are placed on each other. Discs are in between two vertebrae and they act as a shock absorber. Outer layer of the disc is hard and inner center contains soft fluid. The work of disc is to make the action of the spine comfortable. When spine moves in any direction, fluid moves inside the hard cover.
With the action or spine, every disc is pressurized and when this pressure is excess the discs may become weak. If this continues further, the structure is not stronag to carry on the compression. At some time disc may burst. This condition is known as complete herniated disc.
Herniated discs are very painful. Inner core’s soft fluid spills out and more problems are faced by the patient. This may happen with any disc in spine but usually it happens with the discs which are at the bottom of back since the pressure is more.
If with the herniated disc the nerves are affected then the pain is felt in all over the back or other part of body. When the lower back disc is affected then the pain in thighs, legs is also present and this condition is known as Sciatica. The pain in neck, shoulders and arms is experienced if the injury is with cervical spine.
The diagnosis of Disc back pain is possible with x rays, MRT and CT scans. But usually there are clearly diagnosed because of the localized and overall symptoms.
The effects of Disc back pain are long lasting. Patient has to face acute pain. If the disc is herniated then it is difficult to move and do everyday activities.
The different treatments are available for this problem. Conservative treatments like Osteopathy, chiropractic, physical therapy are used with the pain killing medicines and anti inflammatory tablets or injections. In addition to that massage, heat treatment may also help. After the recovery the exercise routine is suggested for the patient.
After considerable time and bed rest the slipped disc can be corrected itself. For avoiding the recurrence in future the lifting of heavy objects should be avoided and actions like bending and twisting should be avoided as far as possible. Exercises to strengthen the stomach muscles should be performed as they will support the back. Good posture habits while standing, sitting and walking should be observed.
If there no positive results after use of these methods, operation called Discetomy is advised.
Normal problems of degenerative disc disease and slipped disc are increasing because of obesity, lack of exercise, wrong lifting habits etc. Most of these problems are resolved over the longer period of time. Physiotherapist and experts may give help to face the pain and to make it easier for the patient his daily routine.
About the Author
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Back Pain for Years. For More Information on Disc Back Pain, Visit His Site at DISC BACK PAIN
Treat Your Back Without Surgery is based on the acclaimed Texas Back Institute’s successful nonsurgical treatments for back injuries. Providing proven exercises and natural healing techniques, this book helps readers diagnose back problems and relieve pain noninvasively. Also included are black-and-white photos, illustrations, back surgery benefits and risks, and an updated resource section….
Safe Techniques to Reduce Pain, Build Strength, and Speed RecoveryStudies suggest that proactive strengthening and flexibility-recovery exercises can speed healing after spine surgery. Whether you’re preparing for or recovering from spinal surgery, recuperating from a back injury, or just dealing with a back that has ‘issues,’ this book offers an effective program to help you manage pain and regai…
Mail this post
