By Patrick Foote

A bulging disc in the back is not necessarily a long-term problem. In fact, many people have the condition and never know it. That’s because the main symptoms associated with deteriorating intervertebral discs – pain and loss of sensation in the back and extremities – usually are only present when the spinal cord or a spinal nerve root are compressed or irritated.

A bulging disc occurs when the fibrous outer wall of the disc is forced out of its normal boundary and protrudes into the spinal canal. While this may sound serious (and it can develop into a debilitating medical condition), the mere presence of a portion of the disc’s outer wall in the spinal canal is not of major concern in most cases.

The Physiology Of A Bulging Disc In The Back

Let’s back up and consider the causes and effects of a bulging disc. First, it’s important to know a little about the composition and structure of intervertebral discs. These sponge-like circular wedges are located between the vertebrae and act as cushions to absorb shock, as well as springs for flexibility. They are composed of two main parts: the gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) and the tough, layered outer wall (annulus fibrosus). As the body ages, the nucleus pulposus begins to gradually dehydrate, while the annulus fibrosus becomes brittle. This age-related diminishment of structural integrity reduces the height of the discs, and lessens the ability of the discs to separate the bony structures of the vertebrae. Excess pressure can force a portion of the disc wall out of its normal boundary, which is a bulging disc. It’s also important to understand the distinction between a bulging disc and a similar degenerative spine condition, a herniated disc. A disc herniation occurs when the outer wall of a disc tears open, allowing the gel-like nucleus material to leak onto the disc’s surface and sometimes, into the spinal canal.

About 85 percent of bulging discs occur in the area of the fourth and fifth lumbar (lower back) vertebrae and the first sacral (pelvic) vertebra. This is because that area of the spine bears most of the weight of the upper body and is subjected to a great deal of movement-related stress. Again, a bulging disc won’t necessarily be a problem if it doesn’t come into contact with the spinal cord or an adjacent nerve root. However, in the lower back, the presence of the sciatic nerve – the longest and largest nerve of the body – means there is a chance that a bulging disc could compress the sciatic nerve compression and the development of a set of symptoms known as sciatica. The sensations associated with sciatica include shooting pain in the buttocks and legs, a dull ache in a hamstring muscle, and loss of sensation or muscle weakness in the legs, feet, and toes.

Treatment For A Bulging Disc in the Back

Nerve compression symptoms caused by a bulging disc usually are manageable with pain medication, exercise, stretching, spinal injections of medication near the site of compression, and other forms of conservative, nonsurgical treatment. However, if chronic symptoms remain persistent after several weeks or months of conservative treatment, surgery might become an option. This is generally considered a last resort, though, so it’s vital to work with your doctor to make sure all conservative methods have been exhausted before consenting to any form of spine surgery.

About the Author: 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 bulging discs and several other spinal conditions.

Source: isnare.com

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