Spinal disc problems are among the top reasons for consulting a spinal specialist. The spinal discs are cushioning structures, which lie between all of the vertebral bones providing movement, shock absorption, and helping to protect the spinal cord. They are anatomical engineering marvels; however they do deteriorate with age and can be injured remarkably easily.
When an intervertebral disc ruptures or herniates, it extends out of its normal capsule space, and can cause pressure on the spinal nerves and the spinal cord.
An extruded disc occurs when the disc bulges outside the normal disc space and creates a balloon shape, which is wider outside the disc than it is at its exit point from the disc. It can put pressure on nerves and the spinal cord, causing symptoms including pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling.
A sequestered disc occurs when a portion of the disc separates from its confines and resides completely outside the disc space. The inner material of the disc leaks or pushes out from a tear in the outer wall of the disc, and entirely separates from the disc body. This detached portion of the disc can put pressure on the spinal nerves, causing pain, tingling, weakness, or numbness. In some cases, a sequestered disc will be broken down by the body and reabsorbed into the blood stream.
If disc extrusion or sequestration causes compression of nerves or spinal cord and there are symptoms, in most cases conservative treatment over several weeks will alleviate those symptoms. This includes pain medication, physical therapy, and other medical methods of treatment. When these fail, minimally-invasive spine surgery in NYC could be the answer you seek.
