 |
|
Collapsed Disc
A collapsed disc is a layman’s term used to describe both
degenerative disc disease,
as well as
herniated discs.
Collapse describes a loss of height, which is typical in both degenerated discs and herniations. The nomenclature of disc diagnoses can be very confusing, so it is crucial that you talk to your
doctor
to understand the exact nature of your abnormal disc condition.
Collapsed Disc Structure
A disc collapse is always thought to be the harbinger of pain and chronic
suffering
for any affected patient. This is a ridiculous part of medical mythology, since degeneration of the
intervertebral disc
structures is a normal and universal part of getting older. Degeneration consists of the dehydration and shrinkage of the normal disc anatomy. This process is not inherently problematic, but does leave the disc susceptible to herniation. Luckily, most
bulging discs
are also not painful and many exist undiscovered for many years, since they are totally asymptomatic.
Collapsed Spinal Disc Concerns
Generally, medical science views degenerated discs and herniated discs as possible sources of
discogenic pain,
spinal stenosis
and
foraminal stenosis
enacting
pinched nerves.
While these conditions might exist in some rare patients, they certainly do not describe the experience of the average person affected by degeneration of the spinal discs. Most disc concerns are
misdiagnosed
as the source of any severe or
chronic back pain,
leading the patient to attempt many unsuccessful
herniated disc treatments.
It is no surprise that a variety of seemingly appropriate therapy options fail, since the vilified disc is innocent and coincidental to the painful complaint.
Collapsed Disc Advice
If you have pain from a herniated disc enacted by a traumatic
back injury,
you should expect to enjoy relief in 6 to 8 weeks. Long term disc pain is rare, even if the injury is severe. Degenerative disc disease and herniations which result from the normal degenerative processes should not be painful at all or mildly symptomatic at the worst. Patients whose
back pain
is blamed on DDD or a non-injury related herniation must be careful that they are on the right track when seeking treatment. This was my exact situation and I endured 18 years of failed therapies, since my pain was grossly misdiagnosed. Remember, most chronic back pain conditions exist due to
ischemia,
rather than any structural causation.
Collapsed Disc to Back Pain Home
6/15/09 Revised 10/19/08
|
|
|
