Disc Pain

A Common Source of Back Pain: Disc Pain

What is Disc Pain?

The discs lie between the round-shaped weight-bearing parts of the lower back vertebrae.  They are called intervertebral discs.  Disc pain results from small tears in the ligaments surrounding the gelatinous center of the intervertebral disc. The gelatinous center is called the nucleus pulposus.  The nucleus pulposus leaks out of the small tears and compresses the spinal nerves in the lower back.  This is what occurs when people refer to a herniated disc, disc protrusion, “slipped disc” or bulging disc, though not all these terms are technically correct.  There are intervertebral discs in all three regions of the spinal column.  The discs key function is for weight-bearing cushioning.  The lower back or lumbar spine discs have the most weight bearing, therefore the lumbar discs are the most commonly injured.  Proper body mechanics, balanced strong muscles and adequate water intake is necessary to keep the intervertebral discs healthy.  The spinal nerves coming off the spinal cord exit off to each side and behind the discs.  Therefore, when there is a disc injury, the spinal nerves are often irritated.

Causes of Disc Pain

The discs often become injured from trauma, such from auto accidents, sports injuries, incorrectly bending lifting and twisting while trying to pick up something, sitting for long periods with a sudden twisting upon standing, and even just sneezing vigorously.  The ligaments surrounding the gelatinous center tear; the gelatinous fluid of the nucleus pulposus leaks out through these tears, and this irritates the spinal nerves.

Disc Pain/Injury Characteristics and Location

Intervertebral disc pain is often a sharp, shooting pain, and can cause numbness and tingling.  Disc injury can also cause muscle weakness and muscle atrophy.  It can be localized and is often referred to other areas.  The more the nucleus pulposus protrudes out, the more it compresses and irritates the nerves.  In the less frequent, most severe cases, a disc protrusion can compress the spinal cord causing various unusual symptoms such as inability to urinate or constipation.  The more the nerve is irritated, the farther away from the local disc protrusion the pain will be referred to.  Referred pain from lower back disc protrusions, which are the most common, can refer pain into the buttocks, groin, hips, front, back and side of the thighs, and even into the calves and feet.  Lower back disc protrusions are often the most debilitating of the three spinal regions.

Diagnosis of Intervertebral Disc Pain

In office orthopedic tests performed by a properly trained and experienced clinician can help differentiate lower back intervertebral disc pain from other origins of pain, including facet joint pain.  Diagnostic imaging with X-rays, CT-scans or MRI can help diagnose disc origin pain.