What Is A Slip Disc? What Are The Symptoms?

By Author: Sejal Thakkar
Total Articles: 38
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The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae which are stacked one on top of the other. Between the vertebrae are discs made up of an outer shell (annulus) and a jelly-like centre (nucleus pulposus) which help protects the body’s weight on impact and allow the spine to be flexible and bend. After the age of 18, this mobile segment does not regenerate or heals itself and the discs are often the first to wear out as one ages, resulting in back pain.

A slip disc also known as a herniated disc or ruptured disc is the end stage of the degeneration of the spine. When the disc is subjected to repeated compressions, bending and rotations, the shell of the disc (annulus) starts to tear. This is the first stage of degeneration.

The jelly inside the disc will slowly start to push its way out. Once there is a tear, the water inside the nucleus pulposus will leak causing friction between the disc and causing it to lose its buoyancy and strength over a period of time.

When the annular tear in the disc, is subjected to continuous repeated pressure, it eventually ruptures, causing extreme pain and swelling in the affected ...
... area of the spine. When this happens, the nucleus pulposus extrudes out through the tear

What are the symptoms of a slip disc?

Early stages of spine degeneration are characterized by lingering backache. At this stage, the patient can still continue to function with daily activities.
However, as the jelly pushes its way out from the shell, the pain gets stronger and unbearable, more frequent and lasts over longer period of time. A ruptured disc in the lower back (lumbar spine) can pinch the spinal nerve root causing pain in the legs and buttocks. Numbness and or weakness may also occur in those areas. If a disc ruptures in the neck (cervical spine) for example, discomfort will then be felt in the shoulders and arms. Further compression of spinal cord in the neck could lead to permanent paralysis

What are the treatment options? Is surgery necessary?

A proper diagnosis must first be obtained. A clinical examination and tests help determine the severity of the condition. For some patients, especially those in the early stages, all that is required is medication which is sometimes used to reduce the inflammation or ease the pain in affected areas. Physiotherapy with targeted treatment like lumbar traction where the spine is stretched to reduce pressure within the damaged discs may also be recommended.
Microdiscectomy, which involves removing the affected disc, is only performed in serious cases where the ruptured disc is pinching and causing irritation to the spinal nerve root and spinal cord.

Key words used: slip disc, slip disc treatment

Author Bio:
Dr Sejal Thakkar, A Spine Consultant at Qi Spine Clinic, a Masters in Musculoskeletal Conditions from Nanavati hospital and Bachlors of Physiotherapy from D.Y.Patil college of Physiotherapy, Certified Shacklock's Neurodynamic solutions and Mulligan's technique of mobilisation. Pursuing certification in MDT (Mechanical Diagnosis and treatment) from the Mckenzie Institute, New Zealand