Bulging Disc What is a Bulging Disc? A bulging disc injury is a common spine injury sustained to your spine's intervertebral disc. It can occur in your lumbar spine (lower back), thoracic spine (upper and mid-back) or your cervical spine (neck). A bulging disc can commonly be referred to as a slipped disc or a protruding disc. However, when the disc bulge is significant enough for the disc nucleus to come out of the annulus, it is known as a herniated disc. What is a Spinal Disc? Spinal discs are the shock-absorbing rings of fibrocartilage and glycoprotein that separate your bony vertebral bodies while allowing movement at each spinal level, and enough room for the major spinal nerves to exit from the spinal canal and travel to your limbs. The annulus is the outer section of the spinal disc, consisting of several layers of multi-directional fibrocartilaginous fibres all densely packed to create a wall around the glycoprotein filled jelly-like disc nucleus. The degree of spinal disc injury varies considerably from mild disc strains or internal derangements, mild-moderate-severe disc bulges through to complete disc rupture and herniation of the nucleus through the annular wall. The fluid component, or disc nucleus, in the disc centre, is like the caramel inside a chocolate. It normally moves within the annulus adjusting to the pressures placed on your spine. However, if you injure the annulus, the wall weakens and the nucleus can press outwards on the weakened disc wall, causing your disc to bulge outwards. A disc bulge (commonly referred to as slipped disc, can potentially press against or irritate the nerve where it exits from the spine. This nerve pinch can cause back pain, spasms, cramping, numbness, pins and needles, or pain in your legs. What Causes a Bulging Disc? When a bulging disc, disc herniation or disc rupture occurs, it is typically due to either: a pre-existing weakness in the annulus, or a sudden increase in pressure through the disc causing fibres of the annulus to tear. Bulging Disc Symptoms A bulging disc injury is suspected when your back pain is aggravated by: sitting forward bending coughing or sneezing lifting Sciatica, leg pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness are commonly associated with more severe disc pathologies. Altered bladder and bowel function can indicate a severe disc pathology, which should prompt immediate medical assessment. How is a Bulging Disc Diagnosed? Your physiotherapist or doctor will suspect a spinal disc injury based on the history of your injury and your symptom behaviour. Your physiotherapist will perform clinical tests to confirm a spinal disc injury and detect if you have any signs of nerve compression. The most accurate diagnostic tests to confirm the extent of your spinal disc injury are MRI and CT scans. slipped disc In the MRI show, a disc bulge can be identified. X-rays do not show acute disc bulging. However, X-rays can show signs of chronic disc injury such as degenerative disc disease and disc narrowing. Bulging Disc Treatment Depending on the extent, severity, pain affecting your daily life, your physio would device the best slip disc treatment for you. We at Dr Paiwals Physiotherapy Clinic are treating such spine pains, lumbar pain, slip disc pain, neck pain, back pains since 2007.