Bulging Disk in the back or neck

What is a Bulging Disc?

A bulging disc (also known as disc bulge) signifies that 50% or more of an intervertebral disc is being squeezed to beyond its adjacent vertebral body boundaries. Disc bulging generally indicates there is a problem in the surrounding spinal structures, whether it is an increase in spinal load or weakness of a spinal disc. A bulging disc itself is not actually painful, but it is the catalyst to other spinal conditions such as spinal stenosis, sciatica, and nerve compression. 

You can have a herniated disc in any part of your spine. But most herniated discs affect the lower back (lumbar spine). Some happen in the neck (cervical spine) and, more rarely, in the upper back (thoracic spine). This topic focuses mainly on the lower back.

Bulging Disc Symptoms

Most disc bulges will not have symptoms until there is disc tear, disc degeneration, or disc herniation. Patients with cervical bulging disc have symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling in the shoulders, arms, and hands as the nerves that send signals to these extremities are pinched and compressed. Over time, weakness may begin to be felt in these muscles as a result of compressing the pathways that deliver vital nutrients to them. A lower back disc bulge will have similar symptoms, except they will be felt in the low back, buttocks, legs, and feet. What Causes a Bulging Disc? The most common cause of a bulging disc is age.

As we age, our spinal structures begin to degrade causing the outer ring of our intervertebral disc to weaken. When the disc has become too weak and can no longer manage the pressure placed on it, the internal material will bulge through. Clinical symptoms will occur once the disc bulge is associated with disc tear, degeneration, and herniation. If a herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, you may have a backache or no pain at all.

How Is Bulging Disc Diagnosed

Your doctor may diagnose a herniated disc by asking questions about your symptoms and examining you. If your symptoms clearly point to a herniated disc, you may not need tests.
Most doctor will review tests such as an MRI or a CT scan to confirm a herniated disc or rule out other health problems

Bulging Disc Treatment Options

Asymptomatic disc bulge does not need treatment. For symptomatic patients, initial treatment should be conservative in nature. Conservative bulging disc treatment may include: physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, DRX non-surgical manipulations, manipulations under anesthesia, or spinal injections.

If 6 weeks of conservative bulging disc treatment fail to yield sufficient results, the patient is considered a surgical candidate. Prior to the surgery, a further work up for a precise diagnosis is necessary to determine if the patient has disc tear, degeneration, herniation or other possible sources of pain. Depending on the diagnosis, a cervical or lumbar endoscopic discectomy may deliver pain relief with minimal recovery time. During the procedure the painful tear, disc degeneration or herniation is vaporized with a laser or other micro surgical equipment. Spine Centers of America performs these minimally invasive spine surgery procedures as out-patient procedures. They have a low incidence of complications. However, because it involves surgery on the spine, it is strongly recommended that a board certified spinal surgeon perform the surgery. To consult with one of our physicians about our bulging disc treatment options, contact us via phone at 877-722-6008  or using the form located on the right side of this page.