Chances are, if you have a disc herniation, you may not even know it. As much as 15% of the population in the United States has undiagnosed disc herniations that don't produce any symptoms and produce very few problems. Now, if you are suffering through intense pain in your buttock, low back and legs, you probably aren't all that concerned about those who have symptom-free disc herniations.
Disc herniations, also referred to as slipped disks, prolapsed disks, disk bulges or ruptured disks, are most commonly found (approximately 90% of the time) in the lower back, or what is known as the lumbar spine. They affect men much more commonly then women and especially those between the ages of 30 and 70. A disk herniation may also occur in the neck (8% of disk herniations occur here) and is even less likely in the upper or mid back (only 1-2% of disc herniations).
Your disks are soft, gelatinous pads that are found between the bones of your spine (vertebrae) and are designed to cushion the spine and provide shock absorption. Your disks are made up of two parts; the outer ring or annulus is the stronger, firmer portion of the disk, while the central portion or nucleus pulposus is the softer, more gelatinous portion. The outer annulus is what connects the neighboring vertebrae to each other while the inner nucleus provides shock absorption for the spine.
A disk herniation occurs when the annulus becomes weak or torn and allows the nucleus to squeeze through it out into the area of the area of the spinal column where the spinal cord and nerve roots are found. If a nerve root becomes compressed or strained as a result of the disc herniation it will typically produce pain, numbness and weakness in the areas supplied by the nerve.
Not sure whether you have a disc herniation? Learn more about disc herniation symptoms and disc herniation treatment.
