The disc has a tough outer layer (annulus) surrounding a jelly-like substance in the center (nucleus). A herniation occurs when the nucleus pushes asymmetrically into or through the outer tissue layer. The discs are in front of the spinal cord and exiting nerves, and the herniated material may compress the nerves.
Full Description
Some of the terms commonly used to describe the condition include herniated disc, ruptured disc and the misleading expression “slipped disc”. Other terms that are closely related include bulging disc, pinched nerve, sciatica, disc disease, disc degeneration, degenerative disc disease, and black disc.
Disc herniation can occur in any disc in the spine, but the two most common forms are lumbar disc herniation and cervical disc herniation.
Treatment Options:
Thoracic Disc Herniation:
- Diskectomy
- Fusion
- Spinal Instrumentation
Lumbar Disc Herniation:
- Diskectomy
Cervical Disc Herniation:
- Microscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy or Anterior Cervical Fusion
- Disc Replacement
- Cervical Instrumentation