Herniated Disc Causes

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As you grow older, your discs become flatter -- less cushiony. If a disc becomes too weak, the outer part (annulus) may tear. The inside part of the disc pushes through the tear and presses on the nerves beside it. Herniated discs are most common in people in their 30's and 40's.

The spine is made up of a series of connected bones called "vertebrae". The disc is a combination of strong connective tissues that hold one vertebra to the next, and acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. The disc is made of a tough outer layer called the "annulus fibrosus" and a gel-like center called the "nucleus pulposus."

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As you get older, the center of the disc may start to lose water content, making the disc less effective as a cushion. This may cause a displacement of the disc's center (called a herniated disc or ruptured disc) through a crack in the outer layer. This can occur in the neck (cervical region) or the back (lumbar region) and the mid back (thoracic spine).

At LSI, pain from a cervical herniated disc is treated with a Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy procedure. The professional surgeons at LSI have performed the procedure hundreds of times, providing freedom from back pain to many satisfied patients. We encourage you to take a moment and read through a few of our patient testimonials to see for yourself.

If you have read though our website and are still left with unanswered questions, feel free to contact us and we will happily assit you.

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Herniated Disc

Bony spurs in neck, colored X-ray. Bony spurs (osteophytes, left) grow from the vertebrae as a normal part of the aging process. They stabilize the spine when the discs of cartilage (red) between the vertebrae shrink and become less flexible. Spur growth is called cervical spondylosis. It is found in 25-50% of 50-year-olds and at least 70% of 75-year-olds. It may not cause any problem at all. However, it can lead to various conditions including stiffness of the neck, painful trapped nerves (radiculopathy), and cervical spondylitic myelopathy, where the spinal cord is compressed, leading to a loss of sensation and muscle control in the limbs.

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Answer

The endoscope and arthroscope are the exact same instrument. They are small tubes through which surgery is performed. When the tube is placed into a joint, it is referred to as an arthroscopic procedure (arthro meaning joint). When the tube is placed into an area other than a joint, it is called an endoscope. At LSI, we perform endoscopic procedures.