Ruptured discs
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Ruptured discs
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.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
| Last Updated | July 21, 2008 |
| Last updated: | July 21, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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