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• Collapsed Disc Overview

Collapsed Disc

A collapsed disc is an intervertebral disc that has lost its normal height due to degeneration within the annulus fibrosus, which is the fibrous outer wall. While this degeneration can be caused by traumatic injury, it is more frequently a result of wear and tear that is a natural part of the aging process. Loss of disc height is most common within the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine, where the vertebrae bear significant body weight and are subjected to a wide range of stress-inducing motion. A collapsed disc won’t necessarily produce symptoms; only when diminished disc height leads to an impingement of a nerve root or the spinal cord itself will pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness occur.

The Mechanics of a Disc Collapse

The term collapsed disc is often used interchangeably with “herniated disc,” but the presence of one does not necessarily indicate the presence of the other. A disc herniation is the leakage of a portion of the gel-like nucleus pulposus through tears or cracks in the annulus fibrosus. It is possible for a disc collapse to be present without the leakage of the disc’s inner material. It is also possible for a disc collapse to produce enough pressure on the nucleus to force the inner material out through a weakened section of the outer wall. The main way a collapsed disc produces pain and other symptoms is by reducing the space available for components of the central and peripheral nervous system – the spinal cord and nerves. Less space means a greater likelihood of nerve compression. In addition, the loss of disc height reduces the ability of the disc to act as a cushion between vertebrae, creating the potential for bone to grind against bone and for the development of osteophytes (bone spurs). This can begin to irritate nerve endings, particularly within intervertebral joints.

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Treating Symptoms of a Collapsed Disc

While disc degeneration is irreversible, resulting symptoms can usually be treated successfully using pain medication, epidural steroid injections, exercise, and other nonsurgical methods. However, if chronic pain or other nerve compression symptoms persist after several weeks of conservative treatment, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn about the benefits of a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed using advanced endoscopic technology.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.