What is Disc? What is Slip Disc?

The inter-vertebral discs are protective cushion-like shock-absorbing pads between the two bones of the spine called vertebrae. Our discs function as shock absorbers within our spines. They are comprised of an outer firm portion called the annulus fibrosis, and an inner soft portion called the nucleus pulpous. The analogy  frequently used in describing a herniated disc is the following: when you squeeze a jelly doughnut, the soft jelly (the nucleus pulposis) is extruded through a hole in the firmer, outer portion of the doughnut (the annulus fibrosis). When this occurs in the context of an acute herniated disc, the contents of the herniation serve to not only push on the nerve, but also cause inflammation and swelling around the nerve – causing severe pain. These discs do not actually "slip," they may split or rupture. Following this  rupture the gel escape into the surrounding tissue. The leaking jellylike substance can produce pressure on the spinal cord or on a single nerve root and cause pain either around the damaged disc or anywhere along the area controlled by that nerve. This condition is also known as a herniated disc, ruptured disc, prolapsed disc, or prolapsed intervertbral disc , also known as PIVD,  more commonly known as slip disc or slipped disc.

The most frequently affected area is the low back, but any disc can rupture, including those in the neck. When the discs of  low back are ruptured there will be pain in lower  back that will radiate to the legs sometimes with tingling and numbness. Similarly in case of neck there will be pain in neck that will be radiating to the hands with tingling numbness.

The nature of the pain is frequently electric shock-like pain or burning pain. This pain may be associated with some numbness, tingling sensations and sometime some muscle weakness. As there are so many discs in the spine, the exact area of pain depends on the nerve root involved and that again depends on the disc that is involved.

Now can X rays show slip disc?

No, this is totally incorrect, slipped disc cannot be seen on an    X ray only an MRI (magnetic resonanse imaging) can on only show the area of slip disc. i.e According Dr. Avneesh Gupte only MRI scan along with clinical support the perfect diagnosis can be done.

What is Sciatica? 

Another most frequently used term both by doctors and by patients is sciatica. It is a symptom and not a disease. Sciatica is defined as any pain that is starting in the low back and is going towards the legs. Sciatica is a non-specific term like fever. Like many diseases may produce fever, many diseases may be the cause of sciatica. Slipped disc is one of the most common cause of sciatica.

What’s the cure for it?        

According to Dr. Avneesh Gupte apart from conservative therapy all other forms of treatment aim at decompressing the nerve roots. These can be done by taking the disc out by surgery or by decompressing the foramen and disc by different interventions. Doctor’s prefer non-surgical procedures for almost all spinal problems until surgery is warranted for based on the severity of the condition. Surgery is a necessity when these pains start interrupting the daily activities and little can be done to control it. The MAX treatment for back and neck pain used at Dr. Gupte’s Spine & Brain Clinic, has produced wonderful results in people who have been suffering from chronic pain for many years.

For surgical procedures the technique used in the endoscopic microdisectomy procedure accomplishes the same result as the traditional surgical with minimum invasion which helps shorten the recovery time.