What Is A Herniated Disc?
Most people complain of leg pain, back pain, or even weakness on their lower extremities. Common diagnosis is a herniated disc or rupture of the spinal disc. Disc serves as cushions in between the vertebrae. When herniated disc occurs, the disc is pushed out from its normal position, and then protrudes through its outer covering. It would not have been such a problem if not for the spinal nerves that stay too close towards the intervertebral disc edge.
The intervertebral edge becomes rigid as the person ages. For young people, the disc is elastically soft, so are other body structures such as ligaments and tendons. As the biological age increases in number, the disc will eventually lose its elasticity and will be more vulnerable to injuries. In fact, there are already younger people like 30 years old whose MRI or magnetic resonance imaging results showed disc deterioration.
As the herniated disc sticks out in between vertebrae, both the spinal cord and nerves may pinch together. There is only very limited space in between these two. If most of the herniated disc extrudes, then the nerves and cord will be compressed and trapped.
Herniated disc can happen after a sudden fall or accident, and may occur with the lumbar spine repeatedly strained. Oftentimes, people who suffered from such condition already have an existing spinal stenosis. Stenosis is another medical condition that cause tissue inflammations and bone spurs.
Leg pains, muscle weakness, parasthesias, and loss control over bowel and or bladder characterize symptoms of a herniated disc. The leg pain is mostly felt around the thigh area, leg or either foot. The parasthesias, on the other hand, is a medical word that means numbness and tingling sensations like
Meanwhile, muscle weakness is a result of some nerve irritations. This usually happens on the ankle area. Doing some reflexes on the ankle and knee can check nerve irritations. While signs of loss bowel and bladder can be indications of cauda equina, possible results may also be due to a herniated disc. Be aware that this symptom is a medical emergency that needs to be properly taken cared of by health professionals.
Most physicians come out with the diagnosis of herniated disc after some thorough physical examinations. He or she will do some tests such as muscle strength, checking on reflexes and sensations before final diagnosis is established. An MRI or the magnetic resonance imaging also aids in detecting herniated disc.
Diagnosis and treatments all vary depending on the symptoms provided, the patient's condition and MRI and X-ray results. Once all these essential factors are put together, only then that doctors plan on a suitable treatment.
