Definition of Disc Sequestration

Disc sequestration occurs when the inner material of an intervertebral disc (the nucleus pulposus) leaks out through a tear in the disc’s outer wall (the annulus fibrosus) and separates from the disc itself. The portion of disc material that has detached may exert pressure on nearby spinal nerves, causing symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness throughout the muscles and skin innervated by that nerve. It is also possible that the sequestered disc material will be broken down and resorbed back into the blood stream.

The Progress of a Disc Sequestration

With the exception of sudden, traumatic injuries, disc sequestration generally happens over a period of time due to degeneration as part of the natural aging process. The stages leading up to sequestration are as follows:

• Disc protrusion – this occurs when the inner disc fluid presses against the outer disc wall and the disc bulges beyond its normal perimeter; also called a bulging disc.
• Disc herniation – when the annulus fibrosus tears and the nucleus pulposus extrudes into the spinal canal.
• Disc sequestration – when the nucleus pulposus leaks out of the disc and is then separated from the disc altogether.

Treatments for Disc Sequestration

If you are suffering from neural compression caused by a disc protrusion, herniation, or sequestration, several weeks or months of conservative treatment will likely be enough for you to achieve relief. Your doctor may suggest pain medication, hot-cold therapy, behavior modification, or restorative yoga. If chronic symptoms persist after weeks or months of these methods, consider contacting Laser Spine Institute. We offer a variety of minimally invasive procedures aimed at releasing neural compression and helping people to find relief from back and neck pain. Contact us today for a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan and find out if you could be a candidate.