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• Bulging Disc Injury

Bulging Disc Injury

A bulging disc in the spinal column can be the result of a back or neck injury. Although not as common as a bulging disc that develops due to age-related degeneration, a bulging disc triggered by some form of trauma or injury to the back or neck can be just as painful.

When an intervertebral disc in the spinal column is traumatized by any injury to the back or neck, the disc weakens and it can bulge or protrude into the spinal canal. The protrusion can occur in the neck (known as a cervical bulging disc), mid-back (thoracic bulging disc), or lower back (lumbar bulging disc).

When a disc has a significant bulge, it can put pressure on nearby nerve tissue. This pinching of nerve roots or the spinal cord can cause pain at the precise location of the bulging disc injury along the spinal column. Additionally, pain, tingling, or numbness can radiate from the disc injury location to other parts of the body, such as the hips, thighs, arms, shoulders, hands, and feet.

How does a bulging disc injury occur? Several outside forces can cause an intervertebral disc to "bulge," or protrude, including:

• A car accident
• A severe fall impacting the back
• Repetitive jarring motions in certain sports
• Heavy lifting
• Improper body mechanics
• Work that involves repetitive bending, twisting, or lifting
• Sitting, standing, or driving for extended periods of time

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No matter what the cause of a bulging disc injury, treatments may include rest, physical therapy, exercise, and medications. If the bulging disc pain and other symptoms continue after these methods have been tried, open-back surgery may be recommended.

If you are suffering from a bulging disc – whether it has been caused by injury or by degeneration due to aging – you may want to consider the minimally invasive endoscopic procedures offered by Laser Spine Institute (LSI) as an alternative to traditional surgery. Contact us today and we will review your MRI or CT scan free of charge.

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