Herniated Disc1. Healthy disc
2. Nerve
3. Slipped disc
4. Damaged disc
A more recent addition to my body, this was found in 2010. Information comes courtesy of NHS Choices (UK).
"A herniated disc (HD), occurs when one of the discs of the spine is ruptured and the gel inside leaks out and protrude outwards between the vertebrae. This causes back pain and can also cause pain in other areas of the body. Most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50, it affects twice as many men as women. HDs occur most frequently in the lower back, but any disc can rupture, including those in the upper back and neck. Around one-third of adults in the UK have lower back pain, and a herniated disc is responsible in less than 1 in 20 cases. The damaged disc can put pressure on the whole spinal cord or on a single nerve fibre. It can cause pain around the protruding disc and in any part of the body that is controlled by the nerve that the disc is pressing on. |
SYMPTOMS
A lasting, aching pain.
Numbness.
Tingling sensation in one or both of your legs.
Pain often begins in the lower back before sometimes spreading to other parts of the body.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the most commonly affected nerve.
Other nerves
If the herniated disc presses on any of the other nerves that run down your spinal cord, symptoms may include:
Muscle paralysis (weakness).
Muscle spasms, when your muscles contract tightly and painfully.
Loss of bladder control.
Muscle spasms and paralysis tend to occur in your arms, legs and buttocks.
A lasting, aching pain.
Numbness.
Tingling sensation in one or both of your legs.
Pain often begins in the lower back before sometimes spreading to other parts of the body.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the most commonly affected nerve.
Other nerves
If the herniated disc presses on any of the other nerves that run down your spinal cord, symptoms may include:
Muscle paralysis (weakness).
Muscle spasms, when your muscles contract tightly and painfully.
Loss of bladder control.
Muscle spasms and paralysis tend to occur in your arms, legs and buttocks.
Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)
Is a serious condition where the nerves at the very bottom of the spinal cord become compressed.
Symptoms
Lower back pain.
Numbness in your groin.
Paralysis of one or both legs.
Rectum pain (pain in the lower bowel and anus).
Bowel disturbance.
Being unable to pass urine.
Pain in the inside of your thighs.
If CES is not promptly treated, the nerves to your bladder and bowel can become permanently damaged.
Is a serious condition where the nerves at the very bottom of the spinal cord become compressed.
Symptoms
Lower back pain.
Numbness in your groin.
Paralysis of one or both legs.
Rectum pain (pain in the lower bowel and anus).
Bowel disturbance.
Being unable to pass urine.
Pain in the inside of your thighs.
If CES is not promptly treated, the nerves to your bladder and bowel can become permanently damaged.