Causes Of Back Pain: Bulging Disc

By Author: Adam Arnette
Total Articles: 11
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What is it?

A bulging disc in the spine is a disc that extrudes into the spinal canal. It is also referred to as slipped disc.

How it causes pain:

As a disc degenerates, it can herniate (the inner core extrudes) back into the spinal canal. In the lumbar area, this can cause pain to radiate all the way down the leg into the foot. In the area of the cervical spine, the pain would radiate from the neck down the arm, to the fingers. Approximately 90% of bulges and herniations occur in the lumbar area of the spine.

Can it be treated?

Yes, the inflammation of tissue and resulting pain associated with a bulging disc can be treated by a specialized procedure without having to endure open back surgery. This is a very common source of pain and many patients with bulging discs, can be treated with the AccuraScope Procedure.

How it can be treated:

With the AccuraScope Discectomy and Neural Decompression, specially trained physicians can visualize these sources of pain using the endoscope, ...
... and then shrink the herniation or bulge with the use of a laser and various other tools. The disc is also sealed by the laser, which greatly reduces the risk of a future herniation at the repaired site.

Lawrence B. Rothstein is a graduate of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and The Ohio State University School of Medicine (1987). He completed his internship, residency in Anesthesia, and fellowship in Interventional Pain Management at the Cleveland Clinic where he was named Chief Fellow. He is board certified in Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.

Dr. Rothstein of Dayton, Ohio is the Chief Medical Officer of North American Spine and pioneer of the AccuraScope Procedure for back pain.