General terms used to describe disk problems include herniated, ruptured, protruded, slipped, and prolapsed disk. However, they all mean the same thing and refer to a portion of the intervertebral disk which pushes itself onto the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots. A disk herniation at C3 is rare compared to other cervical disk herniations, according to the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch, but when it occurs the compression of neural tissue causes a variety of symptoms.
When the disc is injured, the outer annulus can develop a crack in it that allows the center nucleus to bulge out of its normal confines and put pressure on nearby spinal nerves. This can cause a variety of different symptoms.
Normal aging, trauma or strenuous activity can increase the amount of pressure placed on these discs. An increase in pressure can cause a portion of the disc to push or leak into the spinal canal, which can injure or inflame sp...
The University of Maryland Medical Center defines numbness and tingling as a loss of feeling and abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in the body, but most often affect the limbs and extremities. Numbness and tingling ca...
It consists of 12 vertebrae separated by cartilaginous discs that serve as shock absorbers and facilitate movement between the vertebral segments. Between each set of vertebrae, spinal nerves emerge to supply nerve impulses to ...
They are designed to absorb impact, and to allow the spine to flex and bend. However, in some cases these disks may become dislodged and either bulge or rupture completely. A herniated disk tends to cause specific symptoms that...
In between each of the neck vertebrae lies a disc that helps cushion and protect the vertebrae. Disc injury, damage or degradation can cause these discs to slip out of place. When this occurs, people can develop herniated disc ...
Herniated disks occur as people age and the disks become weaker. MedlinePlus points out that herniated disks commonly occur in the lower back, with 8 percent of cases occurring in the neck. The main symptom of a herniated disk ...
When one of these disks slips out of place, a person may be diagnosed with a herniated disk. People who develop symptoms of a herniated disk within the lower, or lumbar, region of the back should consult a medical professional ...
Lumbar disks, plates of cartilage that cushion the movements of the vertebrae of the spine, can rupture and herniate, putting pressure on nerves. The common symptoms of a herniated disk in the lumbar spine vary depending on whi...
The discs of the neck are called cervical discs, which cushion the vertebrae and provide a space for nerves to exit the spinal cord. A herniated disc describes the rearward displacement of an intervertebral disc, which often co...
The tough outer ring of the disc is eroded so severely that the inner core of the disc, called the nucleus pulposus, protrudes through it. The nucleus pulposus can bulge into the spinal canal and compress the spinal cord or it...
These discs are, however, vulnerable themselves. The natural effects of aging cause wear and tear on the strong cartilaginous ring, called the annulus, that encircles the spongy center of the disc. When damage erodes the annu...
According to MayoClinic.com, this condition can occur in both the upper and lower back. Though a herniated disk will typically improve with a small amount of treatment, it can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms.
The vertebrae are separated and cushioned by rubbery disks filled with a gelatinous substance. Trauma or strain can cause a disk to herniate--move out of place--or rupture, resulting in pressure on the nerve. The lower back, or...
These discs consist of a tough outer layer, or annulus, and a soft inner layer, or nucleus, states MayoClinic.com. A disc herniates when the inner layer pushes through the outer layer and irritates a cervical spinal nerve. Doct...
It most commonly causes symptoms in the cervical and lumbar spine.
When the outer layers of the annulus crack, a portion of the nucleus can bulge or herniate out into the spinal canal, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves and causing a variety of symptoms.
In this process, the outer annulus cracks and allows a portion of the nucleus to bulge out and put pressure on nearby structures, such as spinal nerves or the spinal cord, possibly creating a variety of symptoms.
Your spine has three sections: the lumbar or lower back spine, the cervical or neck spine and the thoracic or middle back spine. When the discs between the vertebra rupture in this middle area, you have a herniated thoracic dis...
The spine consists of seven cervical vertebrae (neck), 12 thoracic vertebrae (upper back), five lumbar vertebrae (lower back) and the sacral region. Nerves from the spinal column consist of eight cervical, 12 thoracic, five lum...
When excessive forces are placed on a disk, it can become dislodged or herniated. Herniated disks often affect the surrounding nerves and may cause multiple neurological symptoms. Recognizing cervical herniated disk symptoms ea...
A herniated disc in the back--also called a slipped disc--can cause radiating pain down the leg, making it difficult to function normally. A herniated disc may also cause pain in your back, chest, neck and arms. This injury occ...
They act as little shock absorbers and allow movement between the bones. When a disc becomes damaged or weakened the jelly-like substance contained in the disc can bulge out or escape through a breach in the outer fibers of the...
Your disks provide a cushion and allow the spine to move. Disease, injuries and wear and tear can all cause the jelly-like center of the disk to herniate. This can happen anywhere along the spine, however, herniations are more ...
They work to cushion and absorb the shock placed on the body during activity. Discs can bulge and become herniated due to injury, illness or disease. Displaced spinal discs can occur on the cervical, thoracic or lumbar areas...
In addition, if your muscles are weak or tight, too much strain can be placed on the lower back, leading to disc injury. If you have a herniated disc it means that the jelly-like center in the center of the disc is bulging out ...
Between each vertebra is a disc that separates the two from each other. The disc space contains a soft substance that acts as a cushion to the spine. When the disc becomes traumatized (strained, ruptured or displaced), herniati...
A herniated disk usually presents with specific symptoms. This helps your physician to diagnose your condition and request the appropriate tests. Sometimes the goal is to rule out other medical conditions that may cause symptom...
Herniation of a lumbar disc can happen to anyone but is most common in people between 35 and 45, especially those who do repetitive work or leisure activities or those who are frequently in the driver's seat. As we age, the dis...
Back pain and other symptoms can be caused by many factors. A person can pull a muscle, have degenerative changes in the spine due to arthritis or stenosis, or may have a herniated disk. Since some of the symptoms of a herniate...
A herniated disc can cause severe back and neck pain and is commonly referred to by a variety of names including "pinched nerve" and "bulging disc." The space between each pair of vertebrae contains a spongy, gel-like-disc. The...
There are a number of ways to treat a herniated disc, including rest, physical therapy, medication and surgery. A herniated disc in the lower back is almost always painful, but that's not the only symptom.
Disks are filled with fluid and protect the vertebrae. Disks are flexible and allow for easy bending, stretching and other movement. Disks can become dislodged from the their position in spinal column and poke out to the side. ...
