Advanced Pain Management Consultants

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Dr. Chowdhury

Gina Pastore A.R.N.P.

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Disc Herniations

·        The spine is made up of vertebrae (bones) and discs (cushions) which provide protection for the spinal cord.   The discs act as cushions between each of the vertebral bodies and binds them together.  Facet joints are small joints located between and behind the vertebrae.  From the spinal cord, many nerves exit to act as messengers to the rest of the body.

·        A disc herniation may occur as a result of an injury or as a result of disc degeneration.

·        Herniations may occur in the Cervical (neck), Thoracic (mid-back), and Lumber (low back) spines.

·        Herniations are usually described by size and location

o      Smaller herniations are sometimes called bulges or protrusions.

o      Examples of locations include:

• L4-L5 (lumber herniation between the 4^th and 5^th vertebrae)

• T11-T12 (thoracic herniation between the 11^th and 12^th vertebrae)

• C5-C6 (cervical herniation between the 5^th and 6^th vertebrae)

·        As a disc herniates, the inner gel like core extrudes (bulges) out into the spinal canal.

·        As the disc extrudes into the spinal canal, it can put pressure on a nerve.  This pressure on a nerve can cause pain to go down the arms (cervical herniation) and legs (lumber herniation) and is called radiculopathy.

• Cervical radiculopathy is neck pain radiating into the arm(s).

•  Lumber radiculopathy is low back pain radiating into the leg(s).