Are bulging or herniated discs normal?
Center for Spine Care - Frequently Asked Questions About Bac...No, they are not normal. The normal shape or morphology of the disc is that it should be a uniform height with an abundant fluid content without any bulging of the disc wall into the spinal canal. A bulging disc reflects degeneration, which is physiologic (normal) process of aging, but the disc itself is not normal. It is showing signs of wear-and-tear. A herniated disc obviously is not normal. It is essentially a torn or broken disc.
Related QuestionsChris Urban M.D.intervertebral discs age, they often undergo degenerative changes that cause "bulging". In most cases bulging discs are considered normal because they do not cause symptoms. Many people are unaware that they have bulging discs. In some situations, such as spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease, a bulging disk may produce back or leg pain. It is essential to correlate a patient's history, physical examination, and imaging studies (MRI) to determine whether or not a "bulging disc" is normal.Related Questions
No, they are not "normal" in that we are not born with herniated or bulging discs. They are very common and occur with age and natural dehydration and degeneration of the disc. MRI studies of asymptomatic patients showed that approximately 40% of the population has herniated or bulging discs. Your physician will determine is an MRI is necessary.Related Questions
Is it true that bulging discs are normal?
Chris Urban M.D.intervertebral discs age, they often undergo degenerative changes that cause "bulging". In most cases bulging discs are considered normal because they do not cause symptoms. Many people are unaware that they have bulging discs. In some situations, such as spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease, a bulging disk may produce back or leg pain. It is essential to correlate a patient's history, physical examination, and imaging studies (MRI) to determine whether or not a "bulging disc" is normal.
Related QuestionsWhat about herniated discs?
Frequently Asked QuestionsMany times the herniation seen on an MRI is not actually the cause of your pain. Also a disc can not ever heal properly if the bones are stuck together around it. We have worked on hundreds of cases of people with herniated discs. We have had many people cancel their back surgeries, because chiropractic fixed the problem before the surgery took place. We actually have special equipment in our office to treat herniated discs, and a treatment designed by Dr.
Related QuestionsFrequently Asked QuestionsThe 24 vertebrae of your spine are separated from one another by pads of cartilage called discs. These discs have a fairly tough outer layer with a soft interior to cushion against the shocks and strains experienced as you move and put various stresses on your spine. The discs are subject to injury, disease, and degeneration with use over time. Certain activities and types of work increase the risk of discs being damaged or deteriorating.Related Questions
Are all bulging discs and/or herniated discs painful?
FAQ - Printer VersionMany people have discs that are degenerative or abnormal and yet experience no symptoms. It is also possible that they may have had symptoms at one time, but they improved without any specific intervention. Many times, these degenerative discs are not painful at all until some significant injury or trauma damages them further, leading to significant instability and pain. The bottom line is just because a disc is abnormal does not mean it has to be painful.
Related QuestionsAre bulging discs normal in an adult?
FAQ - Printer VersionBulging discs are extremely common. The incidence of significant disc changes on an MRI scan is almost identical to the age of the patient. For example, if 100 40-year old patients underwent MRIs of the cervical spine, approximately 40% of them would show some degenerative disc changes. While these changes are technically abnormal, they are extremely common and occur as a consequence of the normal aging process.
Related QuestionsWhat is the treatment for herniated discs?
Back Pain Frequently Asked Questions - Back Pain FAQ'sThe most common treatment is a couple of days of bed rest followed by the use of anti-inflammatory medications, possibly pain medications and then a progressive increase in physical activities such as walking. Often physical therapy or chiropractic management are valuable treatment modalities that get people feeling better more quickly. When that regimen does not work, then epidural steroid injection may be tried and may also be beneficial.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc?
Center for Spine Care - Frequently Asked Questions About Bac...A bulging disc represents degenerative disc disease. The disc is showing signs of wear-and-tear. It is losing some of its fluid content and therefore, it is drying out. As it dries out, the disc tends to decrease in height, or it starts to settle. As it does this, the wall of the disc tends to bulge or buckle outward. It generally bulges in a symmetric manner, much like the side walls of a deflated automobile tire would tend to bulge outward in a symmetric fashion.
Related QuestionsBack Pain Frequently Asked Questions - Back Pain FAQ'sthe disc undergoes the natural process of degeneration, it loses the ability to retain the hydration necessary to support the spine. The result is a diffuse bulging similar to a tire that loses air pressure. In the case of the disc it is loss of hydraulic pressure. Another consequence of the degenerative process is the development of fissures or cracks that result from the desiccation of the disc.Related Questions
Chris Urban M.D.Loss of the normal structural integrity of the intervertebral disc can lead to either a bulging or herniated disc shape. Bulging discs are very common and develop in most individuals as we age. A disc bulge is a diffuse symmetrical swelling of the disc and is caused by early disc degeneration and collapse. Bulging discs rarely cause symptoms unless associated with spinal stenosis. In contrast, a herniated disc is one in which the outer layer of the disc, called the annulus, is incompetent.Related Questions
How does the Neck Comforter™ help with herniated/bulging discs and circulation?
Dr. Ho's ® Neck Comforter™Depending on the stage of disc degeneration, some cases can be helped while the more severe herniated disc may require surgical intervention. Please consult with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Neck traction helps by decompressing the spinal disc, negating the pressure from the weight of the head and also from the pulling effects of tight muscles.
Related QuestionsIs it true that a bulging disc can be normal?
Back Pain Frequently Asked Questions - Back Pain FAQ'sYes. Some discs bulge normally, as part of the normal variation that is part of being human (tall vs short). As we age, the surrounding supporting fibers tend to stretch. This will allow some bulging of the disc, without an injury, and without pain. Under normal conditions, our discs are designed to slightly bulge during normal activities. This allows our spine to absorb the tremendous forces we expose it to everyday.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between a slipped disc, a herniated disc or a bulging disc?
BodyZone -- Frequently Asked QuestionsThey are all the same thing. A herniated, slipped or bulging disc is like a bubble in the sidewall of a car tire. The jelly in the center of the disc pushes the weakened part of the disc outwards creating a bulge. This bulge can press on a nerve or other delicate spinal structures.
Related QuestionsRETURN to TOP What are some of the typical symptoms of herniated discs?
Frequently Asked QuestionsMost disc herniation takes place in the lower back (lumbar spine). The second most common site of herniation is the neckpain (cervical spine). A herniated lumbar disc may send pain shooting down through your buttock and thigh into the back of your leg (sciatica). Cervical disc herniation may cause pain in the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Related QuestionsDowning Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Chiropractor in Ne...The 24 vertebrae of your spine are separated from one another by pads of cartilage called discs. These discs have a fairly tough outer layer with a soft interior to cushion against the shocks and strains experienced as you move and put various stresses on your spine. The discs are subject to injury, disease, and degeneration with use over time. Certain activities and types of work increase the risk of discs being damaged or deteriorating.Related Questions
What is a bulging/ruptured/herniated disk?
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe spinal vertebrae are separated by flexible disks of shock absorbing cartilage. These disks are made of a supple outer layer with a soft jelly-like core (nucleus). If a disk is compressed, so that part of it intrudes into the spinal canal but the outer layer has not been ruptured, it may be referred to as a "bulging" disk. This condition may or may not be painful and is extremely common. Herniated disks are often referred to as "slipped" or "ruptured" disks.
Related QuestionsWhat do you do to treat ruptured or herniated discs?
Neurosurgery - Frequently Asked Questions - MercyOur surgeons operate to remove the damaged disc and leave more room for the nerves. We take out all the soft disc material that has slipped out of the covering, and about 60 percent of the disc that has not yet slipped out, ruptured or herniated from its cover.
Related QuestionsWhat are some of the typical symptoms of herniated discs?
Downing Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Chiropractor in Ne...Most disc herniation takes place in the lower back (lumbar spine). The second most common site of herniation is the neck (cervical spine). A herniated lumbar disc may send pain shooting down through your buttock and thigh into the back of your leg (sciatica). Cervical disc herniation may cause pain in the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Related QuestionsAre there different kinds of herniated discs?
MISpine - Detailed ProceduresYes, there are various kinds. An important distinction is between " contained" and "non-contained" herniations. Each disc is made up of two different parts - the nucleus and the annulus. The annulus is the outside portion of the disc and completely surrounds the nucleus, holding and protecting it. In a contained herniated disc, the nucleus pushes against the annulus causing it to bulge and press against the nerve.
Related QuestionsDo all herniated discs require surgery?
Long Island Neurosurgery Dr Nancy Epstein MD Long Island Neu...No, only about 20% of discs produce significant enough spinal cord or nerve root compression to warrant surgery.
Related QuestionsAre herniated discs helped by chiropractic care?
New Page 1Often times, herniated discs can be helped by chiropractic care. Restoring normal spinal biomechanics to the spine alleviates stress on the discs and surrounding nerves, allowing the discs to heal.
Related QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions about Cervical Spine SurgeryA bulging disc is a slight protrusion of the center of the disc (nucleus pulposus) into the spinal canal. In a bulging disc, the annulus fibrosus (outer ring) has not been ruptured. A disc herniation is a large protrusion of the nucleus pulposus (center of the disc), which has burst through the annulus fiborsus (outer ring of the disc) into the spinal canal, invading the surrounding nerves and causing pain in the neck, shoulders or arms.Related Questions
Are a bulging disc and herniated disc the same thing?
test2It is probably simplest to think of bulging and herniated as points on a continuum. When the disc between the vertebrae bulges enough to cause a tear on its surface and to put pressure on a nerve root or spinal cord, we call it herniated. That is generally the point at which patients experience back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. And that's the time to seek treatment.
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