DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF SPINEAL DISC HERNIATIONS

Аннотация

Discs are a type of cushion between the vertebrae in the spine. The spine consists of twenty-four movable vertebrae and five fused vertebrae that form the sacrum. Discs are susceptible to injury because, on the one hand, they must be elastic to allow the spine to move, and on the other hand, they must be strong enough to withstand excessive loads. Discs in the lumbar region are more susceptible to injury because this area bears the majority of the body's weight. The structure of the disc also determines the nature of the damage, if any. Herniated disc, ruptured disc, protrusion, and extrusion are terms used to describe disc injuries. There is little difference between these definitions, as they all involve the nucleus pulposus within the outer annulus fibrosus, allowing the inner contents of the disc to protrude. A herniated disc occurs when part of the nucleus pulposus protrudes beyond the outer annulus.