The term prolapsed disc is often used interchangeably with “bulging” disc and “herniated” disc. These terms are not synonyms for each other, however. A bulging disc means that the outer wall of a disc is intact, but is extending beyond its normal boundary. A herniated disc means that there is a rupture, or tear, in the outer wall and the inner material of a disc has seeped out into the spinal canal. A prolapsed disc means that some portion of the disc – either the intact outer wall or a portion of the gel-like inner material – has encroached on the spinal canal or the lateral openings (foramina) between vertebrae that allow nerve roots to exit the spine. A prolapsed disc, therefore, can either have a bulge or a herniation – and that damage is crowding the narrow passageways in the spinal column.

No matter what name is used, degenerative problems with the intervertebral discs occur most often in the lumbar (lower) region of the spine. This is because the lower back is subjected to a great deal of wear and tear related to back movement and to supporting the weight of the upper body.

Anatomical Components of an Intervertebral Disc

In order to understand how a prolapsed disc develops, it is important to have a fundamental knowledge of the anatomical components of an intervertebral disc and how aging affects them. Discs are composed of two main parts:

– Nucleus pulposus – the gel-like inner material of a disc, made up mostly of water and protein

– Annulus fibrosus – the layered, cartilaginous outer wall of a disc, made up of strong, flexible fibrocartilage

Discs are responsible for enabling the spine to flex and bend, as well as for providing spongy cushioning between the stacked, bony vertebrae. Over time, discs begin to lose water content inside and become brittle on the outside. Excess weight and stress begins to assert itself on the disc, which has a couple of different potential effects. First, it might force the disc’s outer wall outside of its usual boundary (bulging disc). Second, it might cause the already-weakened outer wall to split, which could allow the nucleus pulposus to extrude into the spinal canal (herniated disc). As mentioned, either of these conditions can be referred to as a prolapsed disc.

Degenerative Spine Conditions

Age-related deterioration could result in a more serious degenerative spine condition such as osteoarthritis of the spine or degenerative disc disease (DDD). These are described in greater detail below:

– Osteoarthritis – the deterioration of cartilage that lines the facet joints of vertebrae, placing more stress on the discs; this can lead to pain and a reduction in spinal stability, which in turn gives rise to the growth of osteophytes (bone spurs) and can create even greater problems if a spur makes contact with a nearby nerve root

– Degenerative disc disease – the deterioration of the anatomical components of the disc, often accelerated by either injuries suffered during adolescence or by inherited traits

Treating a Prolapsed Disc

Treatment for a prolapsed disc is often accomplished without surgery. In fact, many people suffer from a disc condition and never know it, because a herniated disc, bulging disc, ruptured disc, slipped disc, or prolapsed disc typically remains asymptomatic unless an adjacent nerve root or the spinal cord is entrapped, or compressed. Symptoms of nerve compression such as pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness can usually be managed using a combination of nonsurgical treatment methods, including:

– Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

– Over-the-counter or prescription strength analgesics

– Stretching

– Exercise

– Physical therapy for behavior modification

– Periods of rest

– Hot/cold applications

– Corticosteroid injections

Prolapsed disc surgery usually becomes an option only after several weeks or months of conservative treatment prove ineffective.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for prolapsed disc symptoms as well as treatments for several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for prolapsed discs and other spinal conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/prolapsed_disc/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for prolapsed disc symptoms as well as treatments for several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: prolapsed disc