What is a slipped disc or disc prolapse?
The disc does not actually slip when you have a slipped disc. The nucleus pulposus (the inner, softer portion of the disc) bulges out as a result of a weakness in the outer part of the disc. Slipped disc is also called as disc prolapse/disc herniation. The bulging disc may press on the nerve roots coming from the spinal cord. Apart from the compression, there is also some inflammation around the prolapsed part of the disc. This inflammation may irritate the nerve root and also causes swelling, which increases pressure on the nerve.
Disc prolapse can occur anywhere in your spine. However, most commonly seen in the discs of lower back (the lumbar spine) followed by the neck (Cervical region) and rarely in the thoracic spine. In the lumbar region, L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels are more commonly affected. The size of the prolapse can vary. In general, the larger the disc prolapse, the more severe the symptoms.
The spine is made up of many brick like bones called vertebrae that are stacked upon each other. In between each vertebra is a disc, the discs are made of strong rubber-like tissue, which allows the spine to be fairly flexible. A disc has a stronger fibrous outer part called the annulus fibrosus and a softer jelly-like middle part called the nucleus pulposus.
FAQ's
Here are few common FAQ’s
Acute Low back pain is very common. However, fewer than 1 in 20 cases of sudden-onset (acute) back pain are due to a slipped disc. The most common age to develop a prolapsed disc is between 30 and 50 years. It is more common in the males than females. Disc prolapse is rare in people under 20 years of age.
It is not clear why some people develop disc prolapse and not others, even when they do the same job or lift the same sort of objects. Probably these people may have a weakness in the outer part of the affected disc. Activities that suddenly increase the intra-abdominal pressure such as sneezing, awkward bending, or heavy lifting in an awkward position may cause extra pressure on the disc, allowing the inner softer part of the disc to squeeze out through the weakened outer part of the disc.
Factors that may increase the risk of developing a prolapsed disc include: A job involving lots of lifting, A job involving lots of sitting (especially driving), Weight-bearing sports (weightlifting etc), Smoking , Being overweight (obesity) and also Increasing age (a disc is more likely to develop a weakness as we become older)