What is it?
The intervertebral discs are circular pads of tissue that
separate the bones of the back (vertebrae).
These discs consist of a jelly-like centre encapsulated
in a fibrous coating and act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae
to soften the pressure forces in the back especially when
someone is running, bending and lifting.
A prolapse of a disc (often called a slipped disc) happens
when so much pressure is put on the disc
that the gelatinous centre bursts out of the coating.
This protrusion may then press on one of the nerves
leaving the spinal cord and running just behind the disc, causing
the nerve to become numb or to send pain messages to the brain.
The most common place for a prolapsed disc to
occur is in the lumbar (lower back) region
although it may occur in the cervical region (neck)
or, less commonly, in other places down the spine.
separate the bones of the back (vertebrae).
These discs consist of a jelly-like centre encapsulated
in a fibrous coating and act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae
to soften the pressure forces in the back especially when
someone is running, bending and lifting.
A prolapse of a disc (often called a slipped disc) happens
when so much pressure is put on the disc
that the gelatinous centre bursts out of the coating.
This protrusion may then press on one of the nerves
leaving the spinal cord and running just behind the disc, causing
the nerve to become numb or to send pain messages to the brain.
The most common place for a prolapsed disc to
occur is in the lumbar (lower back) region
although it may occur in the cervical region (neck)
or, less commonly, in other places down the spine.
Why does it occur?
Anything that causes an increase in pressure
within a disc can lead to a prolapse. T
his includes such activities as bending, lifting or twisting,
although even coughing or sneezing can result in a prolapsed disc.
Prolapse within a disc is more common in those
that have already been subjected to wear and tear
and it is therefore uncommon in very young people.
However, elderly people are unlikely to suffer
from this problem because their discs have
very little jelly in the centre due to 'drying out' with age.
"commonly occur at lumbar region",
That's why I wear "LUMBAR CORSET"Please, I have nothing to hide..
If I'm not happy with myself,
might as well I just get surgery or something..
"uncommon in very young people",
aren't I still very young?
Like my specialist says, I'm only 17 not 71..why do I have to suffer such pain?
