A ruptured disc is when a disc between the vertebrae in the spine swells or tears, causing pain or numbness. It is more common in people over 30 due to the natural aging process and can be caused by sudden strain or constant moving and lifting. Diagnosis is done through a physical exam or scans, and treatment usually involves medication and light activity. In severe cases, surgery may be required. Cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition, can occur if the ruptured disc puts pressure on the nerves below the spinal cord and may require emergency surgery.
A ruptured disc, also called a herniated disc or slipped disc, is when one of the discs that sit between the vertebrae in your spine swells or tears. These discs consist of a shell-like capsule that encloses a gel-like substance known as the nucleus. They act to cushion and absorb shock to the spine and are more prone to disease and injury as we age. Herniated discs can occur anywhere in the spine, but are most frequently found in the lumbar region or lower back of the spine.
A ruptured disc is more common in people over the age of thirty because, after this point, the spinal discs begin to lose their fluid as part of the natural aging process. This makes them more susceptible to injury. An injury can be caused by a sudden, sharp strain on the back, a severe twisting motion, or constant moving and lifting that places great strain on the lower back. This makes professional drivers and manual workers especially prone to slipped discs.
A doctor usually diagnoses a ruptured disk by asking questions about the patient’s medical history and symptoms and conducting a physical exam. Sometimes a doctor may do a magnetic response imaging (MRI) scan or computed tomography (CT) scan to determine the exact location and severity of the ruptured disc and to rule out other disorders. If another condition, such as a tumor, is suspected, doctors may also do x-rays, blood tests, and other tests to explore this possibility. Herniated discs usually heal on their own and require surgery in only a small number of severe cases. Doctors usually prescribe medications to reduce pain and swelling, light activity to build muscles that support the back, and help prevent further injury.
Symptoms of a ruptured disc can range from severe pain to no pain depending on the location. If the herniated disc isn’t pressing on a nerve, it may not create any pain, but if the disc is putting pressure on a nerve, it can cause numbness or pain. If the slipped disc is in the neck, pain or numbness may be felt in the shoulders, chest, or arms. In the lower back, it can cause pain, numbness, and/or tingling from the buttock, down the leg, to the ankle and foot. In this case, one may also experience pain in the back, although not as badly as in the leg.
In a severe case called cauda equina syndrome, body aches and loss of bowel control may occur. Cauda equina syndrome occurs when the cauda equina, the mass of nerves below the spinal cord, is disturbed or disabled. This can have several causes, one of which is pressure from a ruptured disc in the lumbar spine. Cauda equina syndrome occurs in only one to fifteen percent of patients with herniated discs and usually requires surgical decompression. If the onset of the syndrome is very sudden and acute, it is considered a medical emergency and doctors will often perform surgical decompression within forty-eight hours to prevent permanent neurological damage.
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