Herniated Discs

A herniated disc is technically known in the field of medicine as spinal disc herniation. The other popular term “slipped disc” is considered to be wrong and misleading by professionals. In such a medical condition, a tear in the outer wall of the disc between two vertebrae allows the central gel-like portion of the spine to bulge out.

As a result of the herniated disc, chemical mediators that cause inflammation may bring severe pain to the patient directly. This is possible with any kind of compression of the nerve roots. This is the reason why forms of anti-inflammatory treatments are administered to patients diagnosed with a herniated disc.

It is possible for a herniated disc to be a further development of an existing medical condition, such as disc protrusion. In such a case, the outermost layers of the fibrous ring or the annulus fibrosus are still intact. However, bulging may occur when pressure is applied on the disc.

Today, more medical practitioners are recognizing the link between chemical radiculitis and the occurrence of pain the back. Surgeries have been focused on removing pressure or compression on the spinal column or on a nerve root. Today, however, chemical inflammation is also deemed responsible for back pains.

For five years now, more evidence has been gathered that identifies a specific mediator for the inflammation and the subsequent pain happening to patients with a herniated disc. This molecule causing inflammation is known as TNF or tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

It has been further identified that TNF not only comes from the herniated disc itself, but may also come from cases of disc tear, spinal stenosis, and facet joints. Disc generation may also occur in the patients due to TNF, on top of inflammation and pain.

In summary, a herniated disc is a condition where the central portion of the spine bulges out. Pain may be felt by people with this condition, which is not only caused by inflammation, pressure, and nerve root compression, but also by a molecule known as TNF.