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Central Disc Protrusion

Central disc protrusionis a type of spinal disc disorder that can result in back or neck pain, as well as other symptoms stemming from nerve irritation. While not an uncommon condition, the exact origin and severity of a disc protrusion will dictate the extent of an individual’s pain or discomfort caused by the problematic disc.

In a healthy spine, the vertebrae in the back and neck are separated by soft, spongy discs that act like the body’s natural shock absorbers. When functioning correctly, these discs work with the vertebral joints to give the spine its flexibility and range of motion. In the case of a central disc protrusion, the disc has swollen (or “bulged”) straight out of it resting place and into the center of the spinal canal where the spinal cord and its nerve roots are located. This can place pressure on the spinal cord and the nerve roots, causing a patient to potentially exhibit back or neck pain and nerve disorder.

Discs are roughly circular in shape, and a disc protrusion can occur at various points along the circumference of the disc:

• Central disc protrusion – the bulge occurs toward the center of the spinal canal, where the spinal cord is located
• Paracentral disc protrusion – the bulge occurs toward the center right or center left of the spinal canal, where the spinal cord and nerve roots are located
• Lateral disc protrusion – the bulge occurs to the left or right of the spinal canal, where nerve roots branch off the spinal cord
• Posterolateral disc protrusion – the bulge occurs to the back and left or right side of the spinal canal, where nerve roots branch off the spinal cord

Known collectively as radiculopathy, central disc protrusion symptoms can include:

• Radiating or traveling pain along the nerve
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• The sensation of heat or pins and needles
• Incontinence (in emergency cases)

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Central disc protrusion results from a number of potential sources, ranging from avoidable causes (e.g., trauma, poor lifting technique, or sports injury) and to unavoidable ones (genetics, aging, degenerative disc disease, and more). The good news is that in most cases, disc protrusions are asymptomatic or at least manageable. Typically, a doctor can effectively help a patient manage symptoms with a non-surgical conservative disc protrusion treatment plan.

However, a small segment of the population suffering from central disc protrusion does not respond to conservative treatments and may require surgery. If it looks like surgery is your only option, consider Laser Spine Institute (LSI) and our gentle, outpatient endoscopic procedures for the neck and back. To learn more about how this exciting branch of medicine successfully treats a range of spinal conditions, contact LSI today.

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