Several discs are present in the vertebral column which acts as a cushioning pad for reducing the impact of movement. Every disc has a central soft tissue surrounded by jelly like donut. When the central part (soft) gets ruptured it causes spinal disc herniation. Herniated disc present in the area between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebral column are often affected.
Disc herniation can be diagnosed using imaging tests like X-ray, CT and MRI scanning. It can be treated by combination of medications and physiotherapy and in rare cases surgery is done.
Structure of Spine and Discs :
The spinal cord or the backbone is made up of many vertebrae which serve as the building blocks. Discs can be found between each vertebra surrounded by ligaments and tissues. There are seven vertebrae in the neck region called cervical vertebrae, twelve vertebrae in the middle of the spine and five vertebrae present in the lower back region called lumbar vertebrae. Below the 5th lumbar column sacrum is found and beneath that the tailbone called coccyx is present. These set of vertebrae provides support for the underlying spinal cord and protects it from injury.
The vertebra exists as a strong boney structure in front of the spine and serves as a cushion for bearing the weight. Ligaments are soft tissues that remain attached to the bones and to the vertebrae that surrounds the discs. Any injury to these ligaments can cause pain in the area. Spinal disc herniation can cause irritation to the nerves causing pain and weakness in your arm or leg.
Symptoms :
Some people may have herniated disc without any symptoms. They become aware of it only when they do imaging tests for some other purpose. The intensity of pain varies with the location of the herniated disk. Very often it can occur in the lumbar spine and sometimes on your neck region.
Some of the symptoms of spinal disc herniation include numbness and tingling sensation in the arms and legs if the nerves are affected severely. In case the herniated disk occurs in the neck region the pain is felt in the arm and on the shoulder region. The pain becomes intense when you sneeze or cough when the spine makes sudden movements.