Low back disc protrusion
Disc protrusions are a type of disc herniation. Between vertebral bones, there are cartilage shock absorbers called intervertebral discs. These cartilage discs allow for distribution of forces, flexibility, and the ability to control spinal motion. Over time, these discs can start to wear out, and there are certain occupations, activities, injuries and disease processes that accelerate this. As the intervertebral disc becomes displaced from its original position it protrudes out, hence the name disc protrusion. This protrusion may cause the disc to compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves causing pain and other symptoms.
For a more detailed distribution of disc protrusion please see the following articles:
Symptoms
The symptoms of disc protrusions depend on many factors. Some disc protrusion do not cause pain, while others cause both local back pain where the disc protrusion is located and radiating pain into the buttock, thigh, leg and foot. A disc protrusion may irritate and compress a nerve. This may cause neurological symptoms such as numbness and muscle weakness.
Treatment
The treatment for disc protrusions (herniations in general) depends on the location, nature and severity of the disc protrusion. Chiropractic treatments can effectively manage disc protrusions. Other protrusions may need medical and surgical treatment. Please contact your health provider for more information.
Other causes of low back pain
The following conditions are some causes of low back pain.
- Lumbar myelopathy
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Bone Spurs
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- Pinched nerve
- Lumbar radiculopathy
- Lumbar facet joint pain
- Bulging Disc
- Herniated Disc
- Disc protrusion
- Discogenic pain
- Post laminectomy syndrome
- Coccydynia
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondyloarthropathy
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Reiter’s syndrome
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Enteropathic arthritis
- Sacroiliac disorders
- Foot drop
- Spinal neurofibroma
- Acute low pain
- Chronic low back pain
- Stiff low back
- Trigger points in the low back
- Red flags for low back pain
- Internal disc disruption
- Lumbar spondylosis
- Lumbar facet syndrome
- Lumbar foraminal stenosis
- Lumbar disc herniation
- Lumbar osteoarthritis
- Lumbar osteophytes
