Slipdisc

Spinal disc herniation

commonly called a SLIPPED DISC is a   MEDICAL  condition affecting the SPINE  in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an INTERVERTIBRAL DISC  (discus intervertebralis) allows the soft, central portion  to BULGE OUT beyond the damaged outer rings. Disc herniation is usually due to age related degeneration of the anulus fibrosus, although TRAUMA  lifting  INJURIES  or straining have been implicated. Tears are almost always postero-lateral in nature owing to the presence of the POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENT in the spinal canal. This tear in the disc ring may result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators, which may directly cause severe pain, even in the absence of nerve root compression.
Disc herniation are normally a further development of a previously existing disc "protrusion", a condition in which the outermost layers of the anulus fibrous are still intact, but can bulge when the disc is under pressure. In contrast to a herniation, none of the nucleus pulposus escapes beyond the outer layers. Most minor herniation heal within several weeks. Anti-inflammatory treatments for pain associated with disc herniation, protrusion, bulge, or disc tear are generally effective. Severe herniation may not heal of their own accord and may require surgical intervention. The condition is widely referred to as a slipped disc, but this term is not medically accurate as the spinal discs are firmly attached between the vertebrae and cannot "slip".

Some of the terms commonly used to describe the condition include  herniated disc,  prolapsed disc,  ruptured disc and slipped disc.

Other phenomena that are closely related include disc protrusion, pinched nerves, SCIATICA  disc disease, disc degeneration, DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE  and black disc. The popular term slipped disc is a misnomer, as the intervertebral discs are tightly sandwiched between two VERTEBRAE  to which they are attached, and cannot actually "slip", or even get out of place. The disc is actually grown together with the adjacent vertebrae and can be squeezed, stretched and twisted, all in small degrees. It can also be torn, ripped, herniated, and degenerated, but it cannot "slip" Some authors consider that the term "slipped disc" is harmful, as it leads to an incorrect idea of what has occurred and thus of the likely outcome.

However, during growth, one vertebral body can slip relative to an adjacent vertebral body.

This congenital deformity is called   SPONNDYLOLISTHESIS

SIGN & SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of a herniated disc can vary depending on the location of the herniation and the types of soft tissue that become involved. They can range from little or no pain if the disc is the only tissue injured, to severe and unrelenting neck or LOWER BACK PAIN  that will radiate into the regions served by affected nerve roots that are irritated or impinged by the herniated material. Often, herniated discs are not diagnosed immediately, as the patients come with undefined pains in the thighs, knees, or feet. Other symptoms may include sensory changes such as numbness, tingling, muscular weakness, paralysis, paresthesia  and affection of reflexes. If the herniated disc is in the lumbar region the patient may also experience sciatica  due to irritation of one of the nerve roots of the sciatica nerve  Unlike a pulsating pain or pain that comes and goes, which can be caused by muscle spasm, pain from a herniated disc is usually continuous or at least is continuous in a specific position of the body. It is possible to have a herniated disc without any pain or noticeable symptoms, depending on its location. If the extruded nucleus pulposus material doesn't press on soft tissues or nerves, it may not cause any symptoms. A small-sample study examining the cervical spine in symptom-free volunteers has found focal disc protrusions in 50% of participants, which suggests that a considerable part of the population can have focal herniated discs in their cervical region that do not cause noticeable symptoms. Typically, symptoms are experienced only on one side of the body. If the prolapse is very large and presses on the spinal cord or the  cauda equina  in the lumbar region, both sides of the body may be affected, often with serious consequences. Compression of the cauda equina can cause permanent nerve damage or paralysis. The nerve damage can result in loss of bowel and bladder control as well as sexual dysfunction. This disorder is called cauda equina syndrome .Other complications include chronic pain.

CAUSES

Most authors favor degeneration of the inter vertebral disc as the major cause of spinal disc herniation and cite trauma as a low cause.
Disc degeneration occurs both with degenerative disc disease   and aging.
Disc herniation can result from general  wear and tear   such as when performing jobs that require constant sitting and squatting  or driving  sedentary life style . However, herniation often result from jobs that require lifting.
Minor back pain and chronic back tiredness are indicators of general wear and tear that make one susceptible to herniation on the occurrence of a traumatic event, such as bending to pick up a pencil or falling.


HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO GIVE RELIEF IN SLIP DISCS PATIENTS