Is a herniated disc the same as a slipped disc?

A herniated disc is commonly known as a slipped disc, but is also referred to as a pinched nerve, bulging disc, ruptured disc, torn disc, collapsed disc, disc protrusion, disc disease, and black disc.

Although there is little uniformity in the naming and identification of the affliction that causes the second highest loss of work time in the United States of America; the clinical identification remains the same.

The various names used to describe the situation wherein the fluid in the pads between the vertebrae leaks out are academic, although it would appear that herniated disc is becoming the more widely accepted term. It is still in the patients’ best interests, for now, to know that all these terms mean the same thing.

In over 30 years as a spinal injury lawyer many people with herniated discs have consulted me. Herniated discs can manifest their presence with mild discomfort, or, in extreme cases, with total paralysis.

To understand herniated discs a bit more, we need to know where they are found, and what their purpose is. The backbone, or spine, runs from the base of the skull, down to the hip area. The backbone is not a single bone, but comprises 33 individual bones known as vertebrae.

The spinal cord runs down the length of the spine, inside a hole through the vertebrae. Due to the fact that the spine is continually moving, backwards, forwards, and to the sides, and because the spinal cord is extremely delicate, a means to protect the spinal cord from these movement stresses had to be found. Enter the spinal disc, which allows flexibility and cushioning of the spine. This disc is to be found between each of the vertebrae.

Apparently jelly-like in appearance, it is an extremely complex and strong little mechanism. For lack of a better description, the spinal disc has a tough leathery jelly outer casing, similar to the skin sometimes found on jelly. The outer layer is called the annulus fibrosis. The interior of the spinal disc contains what appears to be gel toothpaste, called the annulus pulposus.

The outer casing is made up of between 10 and 20 concentric fibrous rings, which completely enclose the gel fluid filled center. The gel like center contains a protein that is able to absorb water, and expand to 250 times its own weight, in a split second, thus providing extra support where it is needed.

The combination of concentric rings on the outside and rapid water absorption and shedding on the inside create a strong flexible cushion that deflects less than 1mm vertically with a 40-kilogram load.

In 1 out of every 8 people, at some stage of their life, one of the following will happen. The outer casing of the spinal disc will weaken, causing the internal fluid to leak out through the weakened area. The other possibility is something no person can avoid: ageing. With age the fluid retention ability of the spinal disc deteriorates, leaving the internal part of the disc in a less than optimally hydrated situation. The two afflictions cause different kinds of pain. Most persons with a herniated disc rarely, if ever, consult their physician, as the discomfort levels they experience are minimal.

There is a third type of spinal cord injury related to the spinal disc, and it is this type that I as a spinal injury lawyer see most often. This herniated disc type is always as a result of an accident, and is termed a traumatic herniated disc. This type of injury can be caused by something as simple as bending sideways in a chair to pick up a dropped pencil, or a violent sneeze. It can also be brought about as the result of carelessness or negligence of another person. Through no fault of your own, you can be the victim of an accident, because another person caused an accident by running a red light, pulling out of a parking spot while chatting on a mobile phone, or causing you to take violent evasive action, resulting in undue stress and pressures to your spinal discs.

Contact me via my contact form, or call me, Toll Free, on 888 446 1999, to arrange your first free consultation with me. I won’t charge you for any costs or fees if I am unable to secure money compensation for you.

The purpose of these web articles are not to make comment about an individual's personal choices, but are intended to educate you about the possible paths of outcome of various spinal injuries.

This website is provided as a public service regarding the topic of spinal injury and is not to be relied upon as medical or legal advice. The information supplied is of a general nature only, and is not intended to be relied upon. This information is not represented to be the most up to date or to cover your particular circumstances.

Before deciding to obtain care, treatment, or to determine a diagnosis, please consult with a licensed physician, and concerning your legal rights please consult with a lawyer.

Warning: Do not let any medical or legal concerns wait because of any information you have read on this website.

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