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Spinal Disc Herniation

A herniated disc (prolapsed disc) often occurs at the lumbar spine and usually affects people between the ages of 30 and 50. A herniated disc in the cervical spine is less common and more likely affects people between the ages of 40 and 60. The thoracic spine is the least affected (0.1 up to three percent of all cases).

In this case, the soft mucoid core of the vertebral disc situated as a buffer between the vertebral bodies and held by a ring of fibrous cartilage slips. The prolapsed mucoid mass applies pressure in most cases on nerves as well. This differs from disc protrusion. Here the vertebral disc tissue pushes outward without the conjunctive tissue ring of the vertebral disc tearing. Depending on the type and extent of the incident, different symptoms can occur: some cases remain unnoticed; others are combined with severe pain, in some cases paralysis can occur.