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Encyclopedia > Slipped disc
Slipped disc
Slipped discs
ICD-10
ICD-9 722.2
ICD-O:
OMIM [1]
DiseasesDB 6861
MedlinePlus [2]
eMedicine /

The layman's expression slipped disc (medical term: prolapsed or herniated intervertebral disc) is a condition in which, due to a tear in the outer fibrous ring (annulus), the central part (nucleus pulposus) of the intervertebral disc gets extruded, often into the spinal canal. slipped disc. ... The following codes are used with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) is a domain specific extension of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems for tumor diseases. ... The Mendelian Inheritance in Man project is a database that catalogues all the known diseases with a genetic component, and - when possible - links them to the relevant genes in the human genome. ... The Diseases Database is a free website that provides information about the relationships between medical conditions, symptoms, and medications. ... MedlinePlus (medlineplus. ... eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996. ... A disease is an abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person afflicted or those in contact with the person. ... Nucleus pulposus is the jelly-like substance in the middle of the spinal disc. ... Intervertebral discs lie in between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. ... The spinal canal is the space in vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes. ...


The expression is imprecise and misleading, since intervertebral discs can neither "slide" nor get "out of place." They are firmly grown together with the adjacent vertebrae and can be squeezed, stretched, and twisted, all in small degrees. They can also become degenerated, torn, ripped, and herniated, but not "slipped."


The lower illustration to the right shows what many imagine to be happening, but what cannot happen.


Disc herniations occur most commonly in the lowermost part of the spine, especially between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebral bodies and between the fifth lumbar vetrebral body and the sacrum. This protrusion usually occurs to one side of the spinal canal, at the point where a nerve root leaves the canal. Impingement on the nerve causes pain, numbness and/or weakness in the part of the skin (dermatome) and muscle that are taken care of by the particular nerve root. The pressure on the nerve is not the only cause of the pain. The leaking of chemical substances from the disc lead to an inflammation of the root, also causing pain. The vertebral column seen from the side Different regions (curvatures) of the vertebral column The vertebral column (backbone or spine) is a column of vertebrae situated in the dorsal aspect of the abdomen. ... Sacrum, pelvic surface The sacrum (os sacrum) is a large, triangular bone at the base of the vertebral column and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. ... Nerves (yellow)    Nerves redirects here. ... Dermatome has three meanings: in surgery, a surgical instrument used for slicing skin in order to perform skin grafts. ...

Contents


Types

  • Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward onto the one below it.
  • Retrolisthesis is when one vertebra slips backwards on the one below.

A diagram of a thoracic vertebra. ...

Causes

This most often occurs because the facet joints at on the posterior part of the spine have degenerated (worn away) and fail to prevent excessive vertebral slippage. In adults, the most common cause is a degenerative disc disease which leads to excessive stress on the facet joints and causes degeneration (such as arthritis) and the slip usually occurs between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (L4 and L5) or the one below that level. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, which is often called degenerative disc disease (DDD) or osteoarthritis of the spine, is a common disorder of the lower spine. ... Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation) is a group of conditions that affect the health of the bone joints in the body. ... In anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm and the sacrum (pelvis). ...


Other causes of spondylolisthesis include stress fractures (caused by repetitive hyper-extension of the back, commonly seen in gymnasts) and traumatic fractures. A fractured bone in a living person is typically treated by restoring the fractured pieces of bone to their natural positions (if necessary), and maintaining those positions while the bone heals. ... Gymnasts are people who participate in the sports of either artistic gymnastics or rhythmic gymnastics. ...


Symptoms

Symptoms can include lower back pain, pain in the thighs and buttocks or tenderness in the slipped area. Leg weakness or numbness can result from pressure on nerve roots and can cause pain to radiate down the legs. Please consult Boaz Hamilton for advice on how to milk back pain. ... Pain is an unpleasant sensation which may be associated with actual or potential tissue damage and which may have physical and emotional components. ... Diagram of the human thigh bone In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and buttocks and the knee. ... Buttocks of a woman being tanned during August, 2004 in Romania The buttocks (often called butt, buns, bum, ass or arse) are rounded portions of the anatomy located on the posterior of the pelvic region of the great apes and humans. ... Leg has multiple meanings: For the limbs of animals that support them above the ground: in the case of the legs of humans, see Human leg; in the case of the legs of horses, see Equine leg; in the case of the legs of crabs, lobsters, and their close relatives... Nerves (yellow)    Nerves redirects here. ...


Treatment

A conservative and effective way to treat disc problems are through chiropractic care. Light exercise and normal activities are generally encouraged. It is important to refrain from activities that put your back into forward flexion as this will irritate the disc. Surgery most likely is not indicated as discs tend to return to their normal position with time. However, when there are symptoms of pressure on the spinal cord or on the cauda equina, an operation should be performed immediately. Cross-section through cervical spinal cord. ... The cauda equina is a structure within the lower end of the spinal column, that consists of nerve roots and rootlets from above. ...


External links

llama My grandmother has slipped disc...


  Results from FactBites:
 
slipped disc. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05 (213 words)
These discs separate and cushion the vertebrae, the segments of the spinal column.
Material from the disc may press on spinal nerves and cause numbness or tingling, weakness, or paralysis in the area of the body enervated by those nerves.
Slipped discs occur as a result of severe strain or without any apparent stress at all.
Slipped disc - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (399 words)
Slipped disc (medical term: prolapsed or herniated intervertebral disc) is a condition in which, due to a tear in the outer fibrous ring (annulus), the central part (nucleus pulposis) of the intervertebral disc may extend into the spinal canal.
In adults, the most common cause is a degenerative disc disease which leads to excessive stress on the facet joints and causes degeneration (such as arthritis) and the slip usually occurs between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (L4 and L5) or the one below that level.
Generally, slipped discs are treated conservatively, with bed-rest and painkillers.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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