"What is a Herniated Disc?"
By Tommy Hoffman, Licensed Physical Therapist
A lumbar HNP or herniated nucleus pulposus, is generally termed a "herniated disc" by most lay people.
A herniated disc occurs when there is a "tear" in the annular fibers that hold the "jelly" like material of the disc in place.
This "disc" of jelly like material is quite hydrophilic, containing much water. It serves as a sort of shock absorber for your spine. As we get older the amount of water that resides in the "disc" becomes much less.
When a disc has a herniation or tear, the material may extrude and compress on a spinal nerve root. This can cause symptoms of pain, numbness and/or weakness.
Usually, symptoms are unilateral and present only on one side. People presenting this way often term the condition "Sciatica". This is not completely accurate as irritation to the sciatic nerve may occur for several different reasons.
Causes for a HNP can be age related, traumatic (such as a MVA or slip and fall), or due in part to postural dysfunction in sitting.
Treatment may include physical therapy, and epidural steroid injections. Epidural steroid injections are usually limited to a series of three.
When conservative care fails, surgical intervention in the way of spinal decompression may be in order.