What is a herniated disc?
- Neurosurgical Associates of Central Jersey
- September 16, 2011
- 7:11 pm
- 0 comments
A herniated or “slipped” disc is a common spine injury that occurs when the jelly-like substance inside the intravertebral discs is forced outward, either creating a bulge in the disc’s membrane or leaking out through a tear in the membrane.
The movement of the jelly-like substance places pressure on nearby nerves, which can cause pain and discomfort. There are two areas of the spine that can experience a herniated disc: the lumbar spine (lower back) and cervical spine (neck).
Symptoms include:
- Pain isolated to one side of the body
- Pain that gets worse after standing or sitting
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
