Slipped disc pain is caused by a disc that bulges and breaks open, allowing its tough outer covering and jelly-like inner core to squeeze into the spinal canal. The term “slipped disc” is a little misleading because the disc has not actually slipped out of place—a more appropriate way to refer to the condition is “herniated disc” or “ruptured disc.”
When slipped disc matter extrudes into the spinal canal, there is a chance that the disc may irritate nerve roots and/or the spinal cord. In response to the irritation, the nerves send distress signals to the brain, which responds with pain signals being transmitted through the length of the nerve.
An example of this phenomenon is seen in the condition commonly known as sciatica. The sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the body) begins toward the bottom of the lumbar spine and passes through the pelvis and down each leg, ending at the feet. A slipped disc in the lumbar spine, therefore, can cause pain that radiates to the buttocks and down one leg. In addition to pain, a nerve that’s pinched by a disc also can cause feelings of numbness, weakness, and a tingling sensation because the nerve’s signals are interrupted.
Laser Spine Institute (LSI) has found ways to free nerves that are trapped by slipped disc material. We specialize in minimally invasive, endoscopic procedures that pinpoint the exact location of your slipped disc and treat it with gentle lasers. Contact us today for more information and a free review of your MRI or CT scan.
