Intervertebral discs are spongy cushions found between the vertebrae of the spine. These discs have a number of important functions including shock absorption, keeping the vertebral column stable, and offering the vertebrae ‘pivot points’ to allow movement. A disc is made
Intervertebral discs are spongy cushions found between the vertebrae of the spine. These discs have a number of important functions including shock absorption, keeping the vertebral column stable, and offering the vertebrae ‘pivot points’ to allow movement. A disc is made of two parts: the elastic outer shell (annulus fibrosis) and the jelly-like contents (nucleus pulposis). Common disc-related problems include degenerative disc disease and ruptured (or ‘slipped’) disc.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a damaged disc can vary according to its location and severity, but general signs include:
- Severe, localised pain.
- Pain radiating down the legs.
- Worsening pain associated with bending over or sitting down for a long time.
- Worsening pain associated with activities like coughing or sneezing.
- Numbness or pins and needles in an arm or leg.
Risk factors
Some people are more susceptible to disc problems than others. Risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Poor muscle tone
- Lack of regular exercise
- Cigarette smoking
- Advancing age
- Poor posture
- Incorrect lifting techniques.
Often there is no recognisable risk factor present.
Degenerative disc disease
The discs of a young child are plump, but the water content reduces with age until the discs are comparatively thin and hard. Bony growths called bone spurs may develop around the discs. In many cases, these age-related changes cause no problems, but some people experience a painful condition called degenerative disc disease. The most common symptom is back pain caused by holding the same position (either sitting or standing) for too long.
Ruptured disc
The term ‘slipped disc’ suggests that a disc has moved out of position; however, this is not correct. The discs are held firmly in place by various structures (including ligaments, muscles and the vertebrae themselves), so the term ‘slipped disc’ is misleading. Terms like ‘ruptured’, ‘herniated’ or ‘prolapsed’ describe the situation better. A crack in the tough outer shell of the disc allows the soft jelly-like contents to ooze out. The most common site for a ruptured disc is the lower back, and chronic lower backache is the usual symptom. As we get older, the risk of rupturing a disc declines, simply because the discs dry out and the contents are less able to ooze through any cracks.
Sciatica
Sciatica is nerve pain from the sciatic nerve that runs from the spine into the buttock and down the back of the leg. A common cause of sciatica is a ruptured disc. The spinal cord has room to slide up and down inside the spinal column whenever the body moves. However, a bulging disc can protrude into the spinal column and press against the spinal cord, hampering its movement and causing pain.
Diagnosis methods
Diagnosis of disc problems generally involves:
- Taking of a medical history (to determine risk factors or predisposing conditions etc).
- Physical examination.
Other investigations are generally reserved for preoperative assessment.
Treatment options
The majority of disc problems will resolve regardless of treatment. Some common treatments, however, include:
- Bed rest.
- Heat treatment.
- Regular massage.
- Exercise program designed to improve strength and flexibility.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Pain-killing medication.
- Uncommonly, in severe cases of ruptured disc, an operation may be needed to trim the protruding bulge (laminectomy).
- Also uncommonly, in severe cases of degenerative disc disease, an operation may be needed to remove the disc and fuse together the two vertebrae on either side.
of two parts: the elastic outer shell (annulus f
Intervertebral discs are spongy cushions found between the vertebrae of the spine. These discs have a number of important functions including shock absorption, keeping the vertebral column stable, and offering the vertebrae ‘pivot points’ to allow movement. A disc is made of two parts: the elastic outer shell (annulus fibrosis) and the jelly-like contents (nucleus pulposis). Common disc-related problems include degenerative disc disease and ruptured (or ‘slipped’) disc.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a damaged disc can vary according to its location and severity, but general signs include:
- Severe, localised pain.
- Pain radiating down the legs.
- Worsening pain associated with bending over or sitting down for a long time.
- Worsening pain associated with activities like coughing or sneezing.
- Numbness or pins and needles in an arm or leg.
Risk factors
Some people are more susceptible to disc problems than others. Risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Poor muscle tone
- Lack of regular exercise
- Cigarette smoking
- Advancing age
- Poor posture
- Incorrect lifting techniques.
Often there is no recognisable risk factor present.
Degenerative disc disease
The discs of a young child are plump, but the water content reduces with age until the discs are comparatively thin and hard. Bony growths called bone spurs may develop around the discs. In many cases, these age-related changes cause no problems, but some people experience a painful condition called degenerative disc disease. The most common symptom is back pain caused by holding the same position (either sitting or standing) for too long.
Ruptured disc
The term ‘slipped disc’ suggests that a disc has moved out of position; however, this is not correct. The discs are held firmly in place by various structures (including ligaments, muscles and the vertebrae themselves), so the term ‘slipped disc’ is misleading. Terms like ‘ruptured’, ‘herniated’ or ‘prolapsed’ describe the situation better. A crack in the tough outer shell of the disc allows the soft jelly-like contents to ooze out. The most common site for a ruptured disc is the lower back, and chronic lower backache is the usual symptom. As we get older, the risk of rupturing a disc declines, simply because the discs dry out and the contents are less able to ooze through any cracks.
Sciatica
Sciatica is nerve pain from the sciatic nerve that runs from the spine into the buttock and down the back of the leg. A common cause of sciatica is a ruptured disc. The spinal cord has room to slide up and down inside the spinal column whenever the body moves. However, a bulging disc can protrude into the spinal column and press against the spinal cord, hampering its movement and causing pain.
Diagnosis methods
Diagnosis of disc problems generally involves:
- Taking of a medical history (to determine risk factors or predisposing conditions etc).
- Physical examination.
Other investigations are generally reserved for preoperative assessment.
Treatment options
The majority of disc problems will resolve regardless of treatment. Some common treatments, however, include:
- Bed rest.
- Heat treatment.
- Regular massage.
- Exercise program designed to improve strength and flexibility.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Pain-killing medication.
- Uncommonly, in severe cases of ruptured disc, an operation may be needed to trim the protruding bulge (laminectomy).
- Also uncommonly, in severe cases of degenerative disc disease, an operation may be needed to remove the disc and fuse together the two vertebrae on either side.
ibrosis) and the jelly-like contents (nucleus pulposis). Common disc-related problems include degenerative disc disease and ruptured (or ‘slipped’) disc.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a damaged disc can vary according to its location and severity, but general signs include:
- Severe, localised pain.
- Pain radiating down the legs.
- Worsening pain associated with bending over or sitting down for a long time.
- Worsening pain associated with activities like coughing or sneezing.
- Numbness or pins and needles in an arm or leg.
Risk factors
Some people are more susceptible to disc problems than others. Risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Poor muscle tone
- Lack of regular exercise
- Cigarette smoking
- Advancing age
- Poor posture
- Incorrect lifting techniques.
Often there is no recognisable risk factor present.
Degenerative disc disease
The discs of a young child are plump, but the water content reduces with age until the discs are comparatively thin and hard. Bony growths called bone spurs may develop around the discs. In many cases, these age-related changes cause no problems, but some people experience a painful condition called degenerative disc disease. The most common symptom is back pain caused by holding the same position (either sitting or standing) for too long.
Ruptured disc
The term ‘slipped disc’ suggests that a disc has moved out of position; however, this is not correct. The discs are held firmly in place by various structures (including ligaments, muscles and the vertebrae themselves), so the term ‘slipped disc’ is misleading. Terms like ‘ruptured’, ‘herniated’ or ‘prolapsed’ describe the situation better. A crack in the tough outer shell of the disc allows the soft jelly-like contents to ooze out. The most common site for a ruptured disc is the lower back, and chronic lower backache is the usual symptom. As we get older, the risk of rupturing a disc declines, simply because the discs dry out and the contents are less able to ooze through any cracks.
Sciatica
Sciatica is nerve pain from the sciatic nerve that runs from the spine into the buttock and down the back of the leg. A common cause of sciatica is a ruptured disc. The spinal cord has room to slide up and down inside the spinal column whenever the body moves. However, a bulging disc can protrude into the spinal column and press against the spinal cord, hampering its movement and causing pain.
Diagnosis methods
Diagnosis of disc problems generally involves:
- Taking of a medical history (to determine risk factors or predisposing conditions etc).
- Physical examination.
Other investigations are generally reserved for preoperative assessment.
Treatment options
The majority of disc problems will resolve regardless of treatment. Some common treatments, however, include:
- Bed rest.
- Heat treatment.
- Regular massage.
- Exercise program designed to improve strength and flexibility.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Pain-killing medication.
- Uncommonly, in severe cases of ruptured disc, an operation may be needed to trim the protruding bulge (laminectomy).
- Also uncommonly, in severe cases of degenerative disc disease, an operation may be needed to remove the disc and fuse together the two vertebrae on either side.
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