What are the different types of herniated discs?
A herniated disc is very painful to those who suffer from it. It occurs when the soft cushion between the spinal bones ruptures, causing it leak out and apply pressure on the nerves in the spine. At times, the pressure can even affect the spinal cord itself. In such cases, it is crucial to know how the nerve is getting affected and treat it accordingly. This is only possible if the specialists can diagnose the correct type of disc herniation.
We give you the different types of herniation that can occur:
Disc protrusion: Commonly known as the bulging disc, this occurs when the outer wall of the disc weakens. In such cases, a bubble or bulge of the soft cushion between the spines occurs and cases pressure on the nerves. In such cases, normally the ligament still remains intact.
Disc Extrusion: In the event of a disc extrusion, the other part of the spinal disc ruptures. The inner material is slowly squeezed out due to pressure from the rupture, often caused by the damaged or torn ligament.
Disc Sequestration: In the event of disc sequestration, the disc extrusion occurs is starts out as a disc extrusion. However, if it is not detected and treated immediately, it soon is pushed out from the disc completely and becomes separated from the disc as well.
These are the different types of herniated disc. They also affect certain parts of the body which we will now take a look at.
Cervical herniation:
The cervical spine is more prone to herniated discs after the lumbar region. Normally, disc protrusions and extrusions occur here due to the less disc material in it. Although it is not frequent, when they occur they put pressure on the exiting nerve root at the lower end of the cervical spine. It is often referred to as cervical radiculopathy.
Thoracic herniation:
There is limited space around the spinal cord in this region. Therefore when a disc herniation occurs, you should be very concerned. If the injury or damage is sever, paralysis below the waist possible. This region of the spine is not common to herniated discs but it often leads to long term damage if they occur and not treated accordingly.
Lumbar herniation:
The lumbar region is most prone to herniated discs. It is due to the fact that the strain of the body is mostly applied in this region. Most of the disc protrusion, extrusion and sequestration occur in this part of the spine. They often affect the segments of L4 and L5. It also affects the lumbar segment five and sacral segment one.
Understanding the different types of disc herniation and which part of the body they normally affect goes a long way when it comes to treatment. It is crucial the diagnosis is done properly; otherwise the wrong treatment will be prescribed, causing a possibility of long term damage.
We give you the different types of herniation that can occur:
Disc protrusion: Commonly known as the bulging disc, this occurs when the outer wall of the disc weakens. In such cases, a bubble or bulge of the soft cushion between the spines occurs and cases pressure on the nerves. In such cases, normally the ligament still remains intact.
Disc Extrusion: In the event of a disc extrusion, the other part of the spinal disc ruptures. The inner material is slowly squeezed out due to pressure from the rupture, often caused by the damaged or torn ligament.
Disc Sequestration: In the event of disc sequestration, the disc extrusion occurs is starts out as a disc extrusion. However, if it is not detected and treated immediately, it soon is pushed out from the disc completely and becomes separated from the disc as well.
These are the different types of herniated disc. They also affect certain parts of the body which we will now take a look at.
Cervical herniation:
The cervical spine is more prone to herniated discs after the lumbar region. Normally, disc protrusions and extrusions occur here due to the less disc material in it. Although it is not frequent, when they occur they put pressure on the exiting nerve root at the lower end of the cervical spine. It is often referred to as cervical radiculopathy.
Thoracic herniation:
There is limited space around the spinal cord in this region. Therefore when a disc herniation occurs, you should be very concerned. If the injury or damage is sever, paralysis below the waist possible. This region of the spine is not common to herniated discs but it often leads to long term damage if they occur and not treated accordingly.
Lumbar herniation:
The lumbar region is most prone to herniated discs. It is due to the fact that the strain of the body is mostly applied in this region. Most of the disc protrusion, extrusion and sequestration occur in this part of the spine. They often affect the segments of L4 and L5. It also affects the lumbar segment five and sacral segment one.
Understanding the different types of disc herniation and which part of the body they normally affect goes a long way when it comes to treatment. It is crucial the diagnosis is done properly; otherwise the wrong treatment will be prescribed, causing a possibility of long term damage.
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