A protruding disc in the back is a common cause of low back pain, which can radiate down one or both legs. Treatment options include medication, bed rest, physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, and surgery in extreme cases.
A protrusion of the disc is a common cause of low back pain and many appointments are made to see a chiropractor to treat this condition. The discs in the back are made up of a ring of fibers called a ring. The ring is positioned around a center known as the nucleus. The core is not quite solid, but feels like gel.
When the gel from the core protrudes into the ring, this is called slippage. When someone says they have a slipped disc, they are actually talking about a disc protrusion. When a portion of the nucleus protrudes into the ring, it causes the disc in the back to bulge, possibly pressing against a nerve. The result is a lot of pain.
Pain from a protruding disc can begin in the lower back and radiate down one or both legs. If the protrusion is large, the pain will tend to extend further down the legs. A person with this condition may lean to the left or to the right, and this fact will affect where the pain feels most acutely.
As a person ages, the likelihood of a disc bulging increases due to the deterioration of the discs in the back. The condition can be detected by an MRI scan. If the condition is causing the spinal canal to narrow, that is an indication of a serious problem. In a situation where the spinal canal is unaffected, the condition may not be considered very serious.
Treatment options for a disc protrusion will depend on the amount of pain the person is experiencing and the level of impairment to their daily life that occurs as a result. Some protrusions heal on their own, without the individual being aware that they have the condition. Surgery may be recommended for the person with extreme pain or where other measures have failed to provide relief from the condition.
The other measures used to treat disc protrusion include prescription pain medications, bed rest, and physical therapy. Chiropractic treatments from a trained practitioner can help reposition the ring and core so that the gel-like substance is in the right place again. Steroids given in the form of an epidural can also provide relief from this very painful condition.
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