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• About Ruptured Discs

About Ruptured Discs

A ruptured disc can occur anywhere along the spine. They are most common, however, in the lumbar (lower back) and the cervical (neck) areas.

A ruptured disc typically results from age-related wear and tear, but disc ruptures also can be caused by disease or injury. When speaking to friends and family about your condition, you might hear other terms used interchangeably with ruptured disc –such as herniated disc, bulging disc, or slipped disc – but this can be misleading, so you should always consult your physician for clarification.

The spine’s discs, which are located between the vertebrae, act as shock absorbers for the various pressures put on our back and neck each day. Over time, the disc will start to break down and can lead to age-related conditions such as degenerative disc disease.

When a disc becomes damaged, either due to gradual degeneration or a strain, the outer layer known as the annulus fibrosus can break open and push out its nucleus pulposus, the disc’s shock absorbing, jellylike material. When this occurs, pressure can be put on nerve roots exiting the spinal cord or on the spinal cord itself, causing pain and other disabling symptoms.

Symptoms of a ruptured disc include:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Tingling
• Loss of movement

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor. He or she will be able to determine whether or not the pain you feel is caused a ruptured disc. When diagnosing a ruptured disc, your health care provider likely will perform a physical exam and may order a CT scan or MRI to confirm the existence of a ruptured disc. Treatment options could include over-the-counter medication, prescription medication, physical therapy, and modified activity.

Click Here to see how you can get your life back in 5 days

Some patients may need more than conservative treatments to relieve their symptoms and allow them to live life to the fullest. Fortunately, there are other options available for ruptured disc pain relief including the state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedures performed at Laser Spine Institute. With a quicker recuperation period than other treatments like open-back surgery, LSI’s outpatient procedures can gently remove ruptured disc material and help you return to exercising, playing with your kids, working, and other daily activities. Contact us today for a free MRI or CT scan review, and to receive more information about our institute.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.