herniated disc

A is a lesion affecting the spine and characterized by the displacement of part of an intervertebral disc beyond the limits of its normal position. In principle, this hernia is the consequence of an opening in the fibrous annulus allowing a part of the pulpy nucleus, which is softer, to pass outside this annulus. Disc herniation is usually related to age-related degenerative disc damage, which may be promoted by trauma or repeated strain. Most often the hernia is located at the posterolateral level, which is favored by the presence of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the vertebral canal. In principle, the pain results from the compression of a root of a spinal nerve, the most frequent example being sciatica resulting from a herniated disc at the lumbar level. Furthermore, the disc fissure prior to the herniation could be the cause of the release of inflammatory mediators, which could explain pain in the absence of tissue compression. Symptoms related to herniated disc are most often of favorable evolution in a few weeks with symptomatic medical treatment. Rarely, surgical treatment is required.