Herniated Disc

Your back, neck or arm pain from a herniated disc is being caused by intervertebral disc material being forced through a weakened part of the disc.

The Bonati Spine Institute’s treatment for herniated discs can effectively return you to a normal lifestyle sooner than other surgical alternatives.

Disc herniation occurs more frequently in middle-aged and older persons, especially those involved in strenuous physical activity. Symptoms of a hernited disc may also be caused by trauma of some sort such as a car accident or lifting something heavy.

Other risk factors may include a number of congenital conditions.

The bones of the spinal column, or vertebrae, are the “building blocks” of the spine, providing protection for the spinal cord from skull to the pelvis. These bones also protect nerve roots as they exit the spinal cord and travel to various parts of the body.

The spinal vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs filled with a gelatinous substance, which provides cushioning to the spinal column. These discs may bulge or herniate from trauma or strain, especially if degenerative changes have occurred in the disc.

Most herniation takes place in the lumbar area of the spine. Lumbar disc herniation occurs 15 times more often than cervical (neck) disc herniation, and it is one of the most common causes of lower back pain.

Nerve roots (large nerves that branch out from the spinal cord) may become compressed by herniated discs that narrow the space through which the nerve roots travel.

The primary difference between bulging discs and herniated discs are whether they are contained or non-contained.

Contained vs. Non-Contained Disc Disorders

• A contained disc — such as a bulging disc — has not broken through the outer wall of the intervertebral disc, which means the nucleus pulposus remains contained within the annulus fibrosus.
• A non-contained disc — such as a herniated disc or ruptured disc — has either partially or completely broken through the outer wall of the intervertebral disc.

A bulging disc may be a precursor to a herniation. The disc may protrude into the spinal canal without breaking through the disc wall. The gel-like interior (nucleus pulposus) does not leak out. The disc remains intact except a small bubble appears on the outside of the disc.

When a disc herniates, the contents may compress the spinal cord or the spinal nerve roots. To complicate matters, sometimes fragments from the annulus (the outer disc wall) may break away from the parent disc and drift into the spinal canal.

Cervical Herniated Disc Symptoms

• Arm muscle weakness
• Deep pain near or over the shoulder blades on the affected side
• Increased pain when bending the neck or turning head to the side
• Neck pain, especially in the back and sides
• Pain made worse with coughing, straining or laughing
• Pain radiating to the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and rarely the hand, fingers or chest
• Spasm of the neck muscles

Lumbar Herniated Disc Symptoms

• Muscle spasm
• Muscle weakness or atrophy in later stages
• Pain made worse with coughing, straining or laughing
• Pain radiating to the buttocks, legs, and feet
• Severe low-back pain
• Tingling or numbness in legs or feet

Patients who are experiencing pain and discomfort from cervical or lumbar disc herniations should consider treatment of herniated discs at The Bonati Arthroscopic Laser Discectomy.

The Bonati Spine Institute advocates spinal stenosis patients to be well informed. We encourage you to contact us to request a no-obligation MRI review or discussion with one of our medical professionals. Find out why The Bonati Procedures are considered to be among the worldӳ best solutions for laser spine surgery.