Bulging discs, also known as a disc protrusion typically remain asymptomatic. However, often times, they can cause discomfort and disability in various parts of the body. Generally this occurs if the disc or material of the disc touches or compresses an adjacent nerve root or the spinal cord.
With age, the outer fibrous portion of our discs can weaken. Pressure from the central core of the disc can then stretch to the outer rim, causing the disc to bulge. If left untreated, the disc can continue to bulge until it tears, which is classified as a herniated disc.
When the bulging disc does cause a pinched nerve, however, you may begin to experience symptoms. In the lower back, the damaged disc can cause pain to travel to the hips, buttocks, legs and feet. In the cervical spine, pain can radiate from the neck, down the arm and to the fingers.
Approximately 90 percent of bulging discs occur in the lower back, or lumbar area, of the spine. The most common lumbar bulging disc is seen between lumbar vertebrae L4 and L5, and between vertebrae L5 and S1, causing pain in the L5 nerve or S1 spinal nerve, respectively. The sciatic nerve receives neurons from spinal nerves L3 through S3. If the bulging disc impinges upon one or more of these six spinal nerves, then sciatic pain could result. Sciatic pain originates in the low back, radiates through the buttocks, down the back to the leg and could extend all the way to the foot.
The discs between cervical vertebrae may also bulge. If nerve root compression occurs in the cervical, or upper, region of the spine, symptoms are experienced in the neck with radiation to the scapular area, shoulder, arm, forearm and hand.
Some activities speed up the development of disc bulges and are to be avoided. Protect your back when lifting, use good posture, maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly to strengthen core muscles supporting body weight.
Following the diagnosis of a symptomatic bulging disc, your physician will recommend treatments designed to relieve symptoms, such as rest, warm compresses, exercises and medication. Most of the time, symptoms arising from a bulging disc will abate with this conservative treatment. However, if pain does not abate, Epidural Steroid Injections and/or nerve blocks can be beneficial. In some cases, surgical intervention is required.