Prolapsed Disc
A prolapsed disc is another commonly used medical name for any variety of
herniated disc.
This description is typically used when the inner
nucleus pulposus
bulges against the outer
annulus fibrosis,
potentially causing
nerve root
impingement. Disc prolapse has a bad reputation as a symptomatic and chronic condition, but it is clear from medical evidence that this scenario is the exception, not the rule…Prolapses of the intervertebral spacers are actually unbelievably commonplace. Although officially still classified as a spinal abnormality, the high percentage of people with spinal herniations begs to differ. The overwhelming majority of people have one or more bulging or ruptured discs in their neck or low back, yet most do not even know it. This is because these herniations occur due to normal degenerative processes and do not cause any discomfort now or ever. Of course, this is not to say that herniations can not be problematic. They certainly can be troublesome, particularly when enacted by violent trauma. However, the circumstances by which disc pathologies can create chronic pain are limited and represent the gross minority of disc irregularities.
Prolapsed Disc Condition
Most herniated discs do not cause any significant
back pain symptoms.
Some disc injuries are painful when they first occur, but resolve quickly and completely in a matter of weeks. Most do not require any special care or treatment. Some disc conditions might cause spinal stenosis or
pinched nerves,
although longterm pain associated with these instances is rare.Remember, as previously mentioned,
Disc prolapse
is actually a very common
spinal abnormality
and a sizeable percentage of adults demonstrate one or more
bulging,
ruptured
or degenerated discs in their spines.
Disc Prolapse Diagnosis
While X-rays can show a narrowing of disc tissue, they can not confirm a disc herniation. Only a diagnostic test such as an
MRI
or CT Scan, which is capable of producing a view of soft tissues, can accurately diagnose a disc problem. Many
slipped discs
are found during routine MRI testing for a completely unrelated reason. The patient was never aware of the disc condition, since the disc never caused them pain. Remember that
degenerative disc disease
is a normal part of the aging process and is also a contributor to disc prolapse. Therefore, disc herniations are also a normal part of the aging process for many healthy adults.
Recommendation on a Prolapsed Disc
Disc conditions are used as
back pain scapegoats
more than any other spinal causation. While the
back pain industry
continues to aggressively treat herniated discs, the results of said treatments are often poor and barely control the symptoms, forget about rectifying the actual cause of the pain. In patients who suffer from treatment resistant disc pain, the diagnosis is often incorrect.
Misdiagnosed back pain
conditions are the number one reason for patients to suffer year after year without finding a real cure for their misery. If you have a diagnosed disc abnormality, which has not responded to appropriate treatment, I urge you to consider that the problematic disc might not be a concern at all… It might merely be taking the blame while all along some other physical or
psychogenic
causation is really enacting all your agony. Remember that curing any form of back pain is virtually impossible without an accurate diagnosis. Never take for granted that your diagnosis is correct no matter how much you like your doctor or how respected they might be. Every doctor has the potential to make mistakes. Given the epidemic occurrence of misdiagnosis, it seems that some doctors get more diagnostic theories wrong then they do right...
Prolapsed Disc to Back Pain
7/2/08 Revised 12/28/11
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