A disc protrusion is a common cause of low back pain, and many appointments are made to see a chiropractor to treat this condition. The discs in the back are made up of a ring of fibers that are called the annulus. The annulus is positioned around a center known as the nucleus. The nucleus is not entirely solid, but instead looks like gel.
When the gel from the nucleus protrudes into the annulus, it is called a slip. When someone says they have a slipped disc, they are really talking about a disc protrusion. When a portion of the nucleus protrudes into the annulus, it causes the disc in the back to bulge out, possibly pressing against a nerve. The result is a lot of pain.
The pain of a disc protrusion can start in the lower back region and radiate down one or both legs. If the protrusion is a large one, the pain will tend to extend further down the legs. A person with this condition may lean toward either the left or the right, and this fact will influence where the pain is felt most acutely.
As a person ages, the likelihood that they will experience a disc protrusion increases due to deterioration of the discs in the back. The condition can be detected by an MRI examination. If the condition is causing the spinal canal to become narrower, it is an indication of a serious problem. In a situation where the spinal canal is not being affected, the condition may not be considered very serious.
Treatment options for a disc protrusion will depend on the amount of pain the person is experiencing and the level of impairment of his or her daily life is occurring as a result. Some protrusions heal on their own, without the individual being aware that they had the condition. Surgery may be recommended for the person in extreme pain or where other measures have failed to provide relief from the condition.
The other measures used to treat disc protrusion include prescribing pain medication, bed rest, and physical therapy. Chiropractic treatments from a qualified practitioner may help to reposition the annulus and the nucleus so that the gel-like substance is once again in the right place. Steroids given in the form of an epidural may also provide relief from this very painful condition.
