Most of the time we often hear medical terms like bulging disc, herniated disc and even slipped disc. For most part this terms means the same but the truth is there is a difference between a bulging disc and herniated disc.
A bulging disc actually expands than it normally is. The bulge do affects a large part of the disc so that it may look like a burger patty that is too big than its bun. The part of the disc that is bulging is the hard outer layer of the disc. This can be clearly seen in MRI’s.
On the other hand, herniated disc occurs when a there is a crack in the outer layer of the disc so that the inner soft material of the disc leaks out thus it protrudes out of the disc. This is also called slipped disc or ruptured disc.
Knowing the difference between bulging disc and herniated disc, let’s check the symptoms of bulging disc according to Laser Spine Institute.
Bulging disc symptoms differ from one patient to another. The major factor that will identify the symptoms of bulging disc is the severity of the injury as well as the spot of the disc. Where the pain is depends on which disc is damage or weakened and the severity of the pain depends on how much the disc is compressing the nerves.
Bulging disc symptoms appears when the bulge starts to puts pressure in the nerves. The symptoms usually start where the point of pressure is and will spread out wherever the affected nerve root travels. The following are symptoms of bulging disc.
• Bulging disc in the lumbar spine section includes pain that spreads from the lower back to the buttocks, down to the legs and feet. Bulging disc in the lower back might result to sciatica.
• Bulging disc in the middle back or the thoracic spine may cause pain to spread anywhere from the upper thigh up to the chest.
• Bulging disc in the neck or cervical spine may include numbness, tingling and pain from the neck that radiates down to the shoulders, chest, arms, hands and fingers
So whenever you feel any of the symptoms of disc bulge above then consult your doctor so that proper identification of the problem is done. If your doctor has identified that the symptoms are from bulging disc then they will most likely recommend conservative treatment like physical therapy, exercise, heat applications, injections and medications. If all else fail then that is the time that back surgery might be considered.