There are several serious complications that can be caused by intervertebral disc ruptures, or herniations. According to MedlinePlus, a herniated disc occurs when a portion of a spinal disc—the nucleus pulposus—is forced through the disc's fibrous outer ring and places pressure on the nearby spinal nerves in the spinal cord. Most disc herniations occur in the low back and neck.
Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back or neck pain is a common complication of ruptured intervertebral discs. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the intervertebral discs are under constant pressure, and as discs degenerate and the tissue encasing them weakens and eventually ruptures, the center of the disc can protrude into the spinal canal, the small hole through which the spinal nerve roots exit. The disc rupture can cause chronic spine and extremity pain that often requires intervention by a qualified health care professional. If the disc rupture happens in the neck, chronic neck pain may develop, along with arm pain on one side of the body. If the disc ruptures in the low back, chronic low back pain may develop, along with leg pain on one side of the body. Ruptured discs are extremely rare in the mid-back, or thoracic spine, although they may still generate significant pain if they occur.
Loss of Sensation or Weakness
Loss of sensation or muscle weakness in the extremities can occur with ruptured discs that cause prolonged nerve root irritation or compression of spinal nerve root—an offshoot of the spinal cord. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons or AAOS states that radiculopathy pain travels down one of the extremities—either an arm or a leg—in the area of the involved nerve, and that pain associated with radiculopathy typically is sharp or feels like an electrical shock. Radiculopathy pain is often accompanied by a pins and needles sensation, or even complete numbness, along with muscle weakness in one of the extremities when performing certain activities. Radiculopathy itself is not a condition, but it is a complication of a ruptured herniated disc in the neck or low back. In some cases, especially if there are diminished reflexes and progressive muscle weakness, the involved spinal nerve root will need to be decompressed to alleviate symptoms.
Loss of Bowel and Bladder Function
Loss of bowel and bladder function is a serious complication of a ruptured intervertebral disc, and is a medical emergency. According to the Merck Manuals website, injuries and disorders, such as a ruptured disc, can place pressure on the spinal cord itself, instead of just the nerve roots, and disrupt the spinal cord's function. Sometimes, a ruptured disc in the low back or lumbar spine compresses the cauda equina—a bundle of nerve roots that extend downward from the bottom of the spinal cord, and resemble a horse's tail—and causes the following symptoms: reduced sexual response and groin numbness, retention of urine, loss of ankle reflexes and loss of bowel and bladder function. The Merck Manuals website states that people with cauda equina symptom need immediate medical attention, and that surgery to relieve the compression must be performed as quickly as possible.
