What is posterolateral disc herniation?

What is posterolateral disc herniation?

Posterolateral Disc Herniation – Protrusion is usually posterolateral into vertebral canal. Protruded disc usually compresses next lower nerve as the nerve crosses the level of disc in its path to its foramen. ( Example: protrusion of L5 usually affects S1) Cental (posterior) Herniation – It is less frequent.

What is posterior bulging disc?

What Is a Bulging Disc? A bulging disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus—the soft, jelly-like center of the disc that gives the disc shock-absorbing capacities—extends beyond its normal position inside the disc structure, but remains contained within the annulus fibrosus.

What is a posterior disc herniation?

Posterior protrusion of one of the lumbar intervertebral discs into the spinal canal is one of the most common mechanical derangements of the low back in patients suffering from intractable sciatic pain.

In what direction do injured discs usually protrude?

Discs can herniate in any direction–forward, centrally or, most commonly, backward and sideways in the direction of the spinal nerves. Herniated discs account for a small percentage of back pain.

What is worse bulging disc or herniated disc?

Herniated discs are considered more severe than bulging discs because they put significant pressure on nearby nerves, which can cause intense pain, inflammation and difficulties with movement.

Which nerve is affected in disc herniation?

sciatic nerve
This pain is due to the herniated disc compressing the roots that make up the sciatic nerve, which then sends pain signals through the entire nerve, which extends from the lower back through the leg.

How do you fix a posterior disc bulge?

Nonsurgical treatment may include:

1. Rest. One to 2 days of bed rest will usually help relieve back and leg pain.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain.
3. Physical therapy.
4. Epidural steroid injection.

Do bulging discs always herniate?

This causes the disc to bulge outward, which is where the condition gets its name. Bulging discs are less likely to cause pain than herniated discs because they generally do not protrude far enough to press on a nerve. However, a bulging disc is often progresses into full-blown herniated disc over time.

What doctor treats bulging disc in neck?

An orthopedic healthcare provider is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in problems—from head to toe—of the musculoskeletal system. This includes, of course, the spine. An orthopedist might address conditions such as ruptured discs, scoliosis or other types of neck or low back pain.

What happens when you have a spinal disk injury?

In the beginning, there may be spasms in the back or neck which will greatly limit your movement. If nerves are affected, you may develop pain that moves into a leg or an arm. The vast majority of disk injuries occur in the lumbar region of the lower back. Only 10% of these injuries affect the upper spine.

What causes the spinal disk to swell and distort?

Any such event can cause the fibrous outer covering of the disk to break or distort to the point that it presses on a spinal nerve, especially if disk material extrudes. Sometimes, a disk swells, tears, or degenerates without any apparent cause. Disk problems are sometimes lumped together under the term degenerative disk disease.

Can a tear in the vertebral disc cause health problems?

As we get older, the vertebral discs can start to exhibit wear and cause some health problems. A common problem is a tear in the annulus fibrosus, or annular fibers commonly referred to as an annular tear.

Where does a herniated disk usually occur in the back?

Most herniated disks occur in the lower back, although they can also occur in the neck. Signs and symptoms depend on where the disk is situated and whether the disk is pressing on a nerve.