Disc Prolapse and Consequences of Disc Prolapse

What is Disc Prolapse and How Does It Affect You?

The backbone (spinal column) of an adult is made up of 26 bones. A disc is a cushion that sits between two vertebral bones. During everyday tasks, it bears the load and acts as a shock absorber. An abnormal protrusion of a bodily structure through its covering is referred to as prolapse or herniation.

When a disc protrudes past its natural position, it puts pressure on the nerves in the canal behind it. When a nerve is compressed, it creates acute radiating pain all the way down the leg (radiculopathy). As a result, it's also known as sciatica. It can produce weakness, numbness in the leg, and a loss of urine and stool control in extreme cases.

What are the Consequences of Disc Prolapse?

The most prevalent cause of low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy is lumbar disc prolapse (sciatica). It primarily affects the population's middle and younger age groups. The disc begins to degenerate (age) at the age of 15 years.

The water content of the disc decreases with age, resulting in a loss of flexibility and shock-absorbing capacity. This dry and hard disc can no longer function correctly and tears in the disc will occur. The material can herniate through this tear disc at any time, whether during a slight movement or lifting weight, or even spontaneously.

Symptoms & Signs

Low back pain radiates to one side of the buttock, back of the thigh, and back of the leg up to the heel in the majority of patients. Sciatica is the name for this radiating pain. Only a small percentage of people arrive with significant sciatica and little or no back pain. This pain gets worse when you sit, stand, or walk (not able to walk long distances).

This occurs when pressure within the disc rises in an upright position (sitting, standing, or walking), putting additional strain on the nerves. As the patient lies down on the bed, the pressure drops, reducing pain and allowing the patient to relax. Tingling (pins and needles) and numbness in the leg and foot are symptoms of sciatica.

There may be a weakness in the foot in patients with an initial major disc prolapse or sustained compression. Patients may lose control of urination and feces in extreme situations. The term "cauda equine syndrome" refers to a condition in which people have trouble controlling their urine and stools.

Factors at Risk

Genetic variables, age, gender, smoking, and, to a lesser extent, occupational exposure are all risk factors for disc prolapse. Low back discomfort or disability is linked to job discontent, physically demanding employment, mentally unpleasant work, and so on. Trauma is the leading cause of disc prolapse in children under the age of eighteen.

When Should You See A Doctor?

There is no need to see a doctor if you have recently developed low back pain in a young, healthy patient because it is most likely caused by a muscle strain that will go away in one or two weeks.

You should see the best spine surgeon in India if you have been suffering from back pain for more than two weeks, whether it is back pain accompanied by sciatica or sciatica alone. It's an emergency scenario if a patient experiences weakness in the leg or foot, difficulty urinating, difficulty defecating, or loss of sensation in the perianal area. You should see a spinal surgeon right once.

Back pain in people younger than 20 years old or older than 55 years old, no relief after taking medicines for more than 6 weeks, history of trauma, cancer, alcohol abuse, fever, and unexplained weight loss, progressive numbness or weakness in legs or hands, and disturbed walking are all red flag signs that you should see a spine surgeon.

Also Read: Minimal Spine Surgeon Has Many Benefits