Ruptured Discs

Topic Overview

A ruptured disc occurs when the jellylike material (nucleus) inside the disc breaks through the outer shell (capsule or annulus) of the spinal disc.

  • Since the nucleus is no longer stretching the fibers that form the capsule, there may be a significant reduction in back pain.
  • Fragments of a ruptured disc may break off and become lodged in the spinal canal.
  • Symptoms of sciatica may result:
    • If the ruptured nucleus compresses a nerve root.
    • When disc fragments compress and irritate nerve roots.

Related Information

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerRobert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
Last RevisedJuly 21, 2010
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: July 21, 2010
Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics

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