Lumbar Disc Herniation
Lumbar Disc Herniation
Practicum II
Kayle Giarth
Spinal disc herniation is a medical condition affecting the spine in which a tear in the outer ring of a disc that allows the soft central portion to bulge out beyond the damaged ring. Lumbar disc herniation can occur at any age, but the age average is approximately 40 years old(Spengler.) Because of this it is very uncommon for an athlete to present with this disorder. The cases we do see are usually in result from a trauma rather than degeneration. Disc herniation’s in the lower back often occur between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebral bodies or between the fifth and the sacrum.
Tears are almost always postero-lateral in nature. This often applies pressure to the posterior side where the spinal cord and clauida equina is located. These nerves run to the leg and any type of pinched nerve in the lower spine can causing radicular pain through the buttock and down the leg. A 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.
There are four stages of discal displacement. Intradiscal mass displacement is non-physiological displacement of tissue within the disc. Protrusion is when displaced material causes a bulge in the intact wall of the annulus. Extrusion is when the disc material is displaced through the ruptured annular wall. And Sequestration is a small fragment of disc material is forced through the ruptured wall into the spinal canal(McKenzie.) Disc herniation’s are normally a further development of a previously existing disc protrusion. 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 lower back pain that will radiate into the regions served by affected nerve roots that are irritated or impinged
Practicum II
Kayle Giarth
Spinal disc herniation is a medical condition affecting the spine in which a tear in the outer ring of a disc that allows the soft central portion to bulge out beyond the damaged ring. Lumbar disc herniation can occur at any age, but the age average is approximately 40 years old(Spengler.) Because of this it is very uncommon for an athlete to present with this disorder. The cases we do see are usually in result from a trauma rather than degeneration. Disc herniation’s in the lower back often occur between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebral bodies or between the fifth and the sacrum.
Tears are almost always postero-lateral in nature. This often applies pressure to the posterior side where the spinal cord and clauida equina is located. These nerves run to the leg and any type of pinched nerve in the lower spine can causing radicular pain through the buttock and down the leg. A 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.
There are four stages of discal displacement. Intradiscal mass displacement is non-physiological displacement of tissue within the disc. Protrusion is when displaced material causes a bulge in the intact wall of the annulus. Extrusion is when the disc material is displaced through the ruptured annular wall. And Sequestration is a small fragment of disc material is forced through the ruptured wall into the spinal canal(McKenzie.) Disc herniation’s are normally a further development of a previously existing disc protrusion. 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 lower back pain that will radiate into the regions served by affected nerve roots that are irritated or impinged